Shipherd's Record fall 2009

FALL 2009

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President’s

UPDATE

As we complete the fall semester and head into the holidays, I want alumni to know we have much to be thankful for at Olivet and many achievements to celebrate, yet much work to be done.

As you will read in this current issue of Shipherd’s Record, we recently broke ground on the M. Gorton Riethmiller Art Building. On behalf of the college, I want to again thank Dr. Charles ’46, Ph.D., and the Rev. Dr. Peggy (Riethmiller) Blackman for their generous lead gift, as well as the Kresge Foundation and Steve ’82 and Melinda (Strother) ’82 Roznowski for their generous major gifts to help make this new building a reality. As I write this letter, construction is going on across the street from my office!

We are thankful that our faculty and staff work very hard to ensure that every student has the opportunity to be successful at Olivet.

We moved forward this year by expanding our efforts in retention and career development.

With another record enrollment total of 1,147, it is even more critical that we support our students inside and outside of the classroom.

President Don ’85, Ph.D., and New majors are available and faculty should Louise Tuski be congratulated on their continuous efforts to improve the curriculum while keeping a strong liberal arts core.

(See Shipherd’s Record Spring 2009 for more curriculum info.)

Service Learning has been expanded this year and we have more service trips than ever before. Our students have shown a tremendous amount of commitment and excitement over these trips and a real culture of service has grown on campus. We are certainly thankful for that type of student dedication.

We are very thankful for the support of alumni, employees and friends, as well as foundations and corporations in this current campaign, Embracing Opportunity and Responsibility since 1844. We have raised more than $16 million in gifts and pledges and have improved our facilities tremendously. You have been able to follow these improvements in previous issues of Shipherd’s Record and on our Web site at www.olivetcollege.edu. We are hoping to surpass our goal of $16.5 million by Feb. 1, 2010, so there is still time to participate in this latest campaign to support Olivet College.

However, like many quality liberal arts colleges, we are already looking toward our next challenge. Our competition continues to upgrade their facilities and programs and their fundraising continues to improve, like ours. Therefore, as we prepare for the next campaign I would like all our donors to know that we are in fact working on a campaign that will position Olivet well into the future. This will include providing better support for our faculty and staff, making sure our residence halls are updated appropriately and securing strong financial positioning related to endowment growth and debt elimination. In the coming months, you will hear more about closing the current campaign and embarking on the new one. Strong liberal arts colleges need strong support.

Finally, Louise and I want to wish you a restful, family- and friend-filled holiday season while we thank you for supporting Olivet College.

Sincerely, President Don ’85, Ph.D., and Louise Tuski

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS David T. Hayhow L.H.D., Chair, Okemos The Hon. Judge Denise Page Hood, Vice Chair, Detroit William Middlebrooks, Vice Chair, West Bloomfield Robert M. Lawrence ’57, Secretary, Grosse Ile Stanley Dole, Treasurer, Grand Rapids MEMBERS G. Asenath Andrews ’72, Detroit Sandy Aranyos ’68, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Sandra Boyer ex’85, Ann Arbor Thomas Burke ’82, Carmel, Ind. Priscilla Upton Byrns, St. Joseph Dennis Daugherty ’70, Mattawan Robert Ewigleben, Albion Jamey T. Fitzpatrick ’86, Grand Ledge George F. Francis III, Southfield Rich Hamann ’85, Kalamazoo David E. Hathaway, J.D., Ada Rod Hathaway ’81, Wayland Barbara Hill, Southfield Sharon R. Hobbs, Ph.D., East Lansing Timothy Hodge ’83, D.O., Holt Thomas Hoisington, Lansing Jeff Koch ’90, New York, N.Y. Thomas E. Kolassa ’69, Battle Creek Dean Lewis ’55, J.D., Kalamazoo Jeff Mathie ’88, Olivet Charles McPhail ’64, Houston, Texas Tom Nesbitt ’63, White Lake The Rev. Nancy Barto Rohde ’65, Petoskey Karen Van Hentenryck ’81, South Lyon

TRUSTEE SPOTLIGHT SANDRA BOYER ex’85 Hometown: Olivet Now lives in: Saline Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resource administration from Concordia University in Ann Arbor Occupation: Principal of Boyer Greene, LLC, and president and co-founder of LEGUS, an international network of law firms Community involvement: Member of the American Bar Association, International Bar Association and College of Law Practice Management Hobbies: Golf, reading, travel, devoted fan of college sports, outdoor sports and mother.

OLIVET COLLEGE SHIPHERD’S RECORD Shipherd’s Record is named in memory of “Father” John J. Shipherd, who established Olivet College in 1844. The magazine is published twice annually for Olivet alumni and friends.

MAGAZINE STAFF Director of Institutional Advancement Todd Hibbs Managing Editor Molly (Reed) Goaley ’05 Director of Publications and Web Services Bruce Snyder Alumni Relations Marty (Mason) Jennings ’67 Sports Information Geoff Henson

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Cover Story: 165 Years and Counting

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Hosford House Celebrates 160 Years

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Women’s Board Celebrates 150 Years

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Coming Down in Three-Part Harmony

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A Family Affair

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Women Lead the Way

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Expert Faculty, CuttingEdge Technology Define MBA Program

Foundation Relations Shannon Tiernan Editorial: Jackie Bounds Christine Moulton Kendra Cavin Jane O’Brien Karen Chaney Don Oderkirk ’64 Mike Hubbel Pam Rutyna Amber LeClear Linda Jo Scott Send change of address notices to: Office of Institutional Advancement Olivet, MI 49076 (269) 749-7625 pfrayer@olivetcollege.edu

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CAMPUS ADMINISTRATION President Donald L. Tuski ’85, Ph.D. Executive Assistant to the President Barb Spencer Vice President for Administration Larry Colvin Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs Norma Curtis Vice President and CFO Bill Kurtz Director of Institutional Advancement Todd Hibbs Director of Athletics Heather Bateman Vice President and Dean for Student Life Linda Logan, Ph.D. Vice President for Enrollment Management Larry Vallar ’84

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Departments 2 Around the Square 34 Development 38 Comet Athletics 44 Class Notes

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M. Gorton Riethmiller ’28

From left: Olivet Board of Trustees chair, David Hayhow, L.H.D.; professor of art, Don Rowe; President Donald L. Tuski ’85, Ph.D.; Charles Blackman ’46, Ph.D.; Rev. Dr. Peggy (Riethmiller) Blackman; Melinda (Strother) Roznowski ’82; Steve Roznowski ’82; senior Robert Simons; and Visual Arts Department chair, Gary Wertheimer break ground for the M. Gorton Riethmiller Art Building Oct. 10, 2009.

Olivet Breaks Ground on M. Gorton Riethmiller Art Building Olivet College held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new M. Gorton Riethmiller Art Building during Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 10.

College officials, faculty, staff, alumni and students were on hand to celebrate with Charles ’46, Ph.D., and the Rev. Dr. Peggy (Riethmiller) Blackman, who contributed a lead gift toward the $3.5 million facility. M. Gorton Riethmiller, a 1928 Olivet graduate, served as president of the college from 1957 to 1970. Other major donors for the project include the Kresge Foundation and Steve ’82 and Melinda (Strothers) ’82 Roznowski, who were also present at the ceremony.

The 15,000-square-foot Georgian revival-style building will include an art gallery, fine art vault and art classrooms.

The facility will be used primarily by the college’s Visual Arts Department, but also by other faculty, students, alumni, friends and the community.

There are many ways in which alumni and friends can support this project. Some naming opportunities are still available, or you can contribute to the building’s general needs fund, which helps provide amenities such as easels, tables and kilns.

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If you are interested in supporting the new art building or wish to provide a gift toward an item not listed, please contact Shannon Tiernan at (269) 749-7164 or via e-mail at stiernan@olivetcollege.edu.

Naming Opportunities Sculpture court $250,000 Sculpture studio $100,000 Ceramic studio $50,000 Printmaking studio $50,000 Figure drawing studio $50,000 Drawing studio $50,000 Painting studio $50,000 One of three offices $10,000

General Needs Flat files for art storage $10,200 Sculpture modeling stands $7,000 Art collection frames $5,500 Pug mill $4,000 Electric kiln $4,000 Painting easels $4,000 Potter’s wheels $2,700

Ceramic work tables $2,000 Glaze mixing table $1,100 Ware cart plus shelves $600 Kiln shelf cart $550 Extruder and die set $500 Painting stages $250 Digital gram scales $200 Kiln safety screen $150

Hibbs Named Director of Institutional Advancement Todd Hibbs has been named director of institutional advancement at Olivet College, according to an announcement

by President Donald L. Tuski ’85, Ph.D. Hibbs is responsible for managing all operations within the college’s Office of Institutional Advancement. He will lead fundraising and development efforts, as well as oversee alumni and college relations.

Prior to his new position, Hibbs served as head wrestling coach for five years, posting a 56-24-2 dual meet record. Under his tenure, Olivet placed eighth twice in three trips to the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals. Hibbs also led the Comets to three Mid-States Conference Championships and was named the 2009 Mid-States Conference Coach Todd Hibbs of the Year.

“Todd has demonstrated great leadership in coaching and teaching, as well as commitment to the college,” Tuski said. “He has been very successful in fundraising for the wrestling program and we look forward to seeing him continue that success on a greater level.”

Hibbs has an extensive background working in administration for several non-profit organizations. He also previously served as an assistant professor in the Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sport Department at Olivet.

Hibbs earned a bachelor’s degree from Mount Union College in 1989 and a master’s degree in counseling psychology and human performance from Michigan State University.

He resides in Battle Creek with wife, Karen Kane, and two children, Kayla and Brock.

Natural and Physical Sciences Department Receives Grant From Cargill Foundation Earlier this year, Olivet College received a competitive grant from The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation earning the college $10,000 a year for the next five years. In addition to the cash award, Olivet received shares of the privately-owned Cargill Incorporated, from which the college will receive dividends periodically.

The grant is being used by the Natural and Physical Sciences Department to advance its environmental science major.

College Celebrates 10 Years With Heifer International Olivet College celebrated its 10-year affiliation with Heifer International Sept. 30 in the College Square. Handlers brought livestock such as sheep, rabbits, llamas, goats, chickens, a horse and calf to campus for the day to spotlight the work of the organization.

Heifer International is a hands-on learning center that promotes sustainable solutions to global hunger, poverty and environmental degradation. In March, the college spent its 10th annual Alternative Spring Break with the organization.

The trip is coordinated by Mike Fales ’75, director of service learning and campus ministries, with assistance from other college employees. Students are nominated by Mike Fales ’75 faculty and staff to participate in the service project.

“Our 10-year partnership with Heifer International has produced a long list of Olivet College graduates who have returned to the ranch in staff positions and others who have gone out into the world in mission settings,” said Fales. “Every year I am impressed by the number of Olivet College students who are willing to spend their spring break making a difference in the world.”

Alumni interested in sponsoring a service trip or accompanying a group of students and administrators on a trip should contact Fales at (269) 749-7624 or mfales@olivetcollege.edu.

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New Patio Outside Mott Academic Center Students now have the opportunity to sit and socialize between classes on a new patio outside the Mott Academic Center. The patio, which was funded as part of the Mott Auditorium renovation by the Mott Foundation, is in close vicinity to the building’s coffee and snack cart and Mott Auditorium, and has become a popular sitting area for students, faculty and staff.

Rebecca Cutler

Renee Smith

Clair Stevens ’80

Olivet Welcomes New and Full-Time Faculty Rebecca Cutler, Renee Smith and Clair Stevens ’80 have been hired as full-time faculty members at Olivet College, according to an announcement by Norma Curtis, vice president and dean of academic affairs.

Cutler joins the faculty as assistant professor of education.

She comes to Olivet after serving as a behavior focus teacher for the East Lansing Public Schools, where she taught academic subjects and social skills to special education students. She also has seven years of experience teaching special education for the Grand Ledge Public Schools. Cutler earned a master’s degree from Michigan State University (MSU) and a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University (WMU). She is currently working on a Doctorate of Special Education at MSU. Olivet welcomes Smith as assistant professor of accounting and finance. She previously served eight years as a term instructor for the Department of Accountancy at WMU, where she taught Principles of Accounting I and II. Smith also has a 20-year background in volunteer work, serving primarily with programs in special education. She earned a master’s and bachelor’s degree from WMU. Stevens is now a full-time associate professor of insurance and risk management at Olivet College. He previously served as an adjunct instructor for the college’s Risk Management and Insurance Center. Stevens has worked and taught courses in the insurance industry for more than 20 years. In addition to teaching at Davenport University and Olivet, he has served as fire claims central and work compensation team manager, call center coordinator, superintendent with consolidated claims, reinspector and claim representative for State Farm Insurance. He also served in the U.S. Navy and is retired from the Michigan National Guard.

Stevens earned a bachelor’s degree from Olivet in 1980 and a juris doctor from Thomas Cooley Law School in 1984. He passed the Michigan Bar Exam in 1985.

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Student Newspaper Recognized Journalists for Olivet College’s student newspaper, The Echo, won three Division III school awards in the 2009 Michigan Press Association (MPA) College Editorial Contest in Lansing. The Echo received one first-place and one second-place award, and an honorable mention.

The top honor was awarded to the newspaper staff for an editorial titled, “Why Isn’t It Date Rape.” The second-place award was given to Brandon Townsel, a sophomore from Flint, for his sports photo from a wrestling competition. Nicole Babcock, a 2009 graduate from Three Rivers, received an honorable mention for her editorial critiquing the college dress code for athletics.

The contest was open to student newspaper members of the MPA and was cosponsored by the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, an organization composed of advisers to MPA student newspaper members. The newspapers competed in one of three divisions, including: Division I (papers published more than weekly); Division II (papers published weekly); and Division III (two-year college publications or schools publishing less than weekly). Entries included editorial content, design, photos, general excellence, advertising sections and online editions.

The Echo has received 13 awards in the past three years from the MPA.

Alumna who Loved Soronian Donates $36,000 Mildred (Towsley) Maes Parrott ’32 always felt a closeness toward Olivet College and, especially, toward her Soronian society.

In 2004, after having lived in Florida and Tennessee, Mildred returned to Michigan. During her four years as a resident of Marshall, Soronian actives and alumni would often visit, and she would speak about her love for Soronian.

Mildred passed away on July 29, 2008 and left $36,000 to her beloved society. Her generous gift made it possible for actives to make vast improvements to their house, Sperry Hall. The front porch and steps were completely renovated with Mildred Parrott ’32 all new cement surfaces, the second floor porch was repaired and many windows were replaced. Mildred will always be remembered for her kindness and love of Sperry Hall and Soronian.

Volleyball Team Celebrates “Dig for a Cure” On Oct. 28, the Olivet College volleyball team celebrated “Dig for a Cure” in its match against Kalamazoo College. All schools in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) took part in this initiative to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Prior to the match, Olivet wore pink warm-up shirts which were made available for sale. During the match, the teams used pink and white volleyballs, which were autographed by the players and raffled off at the conclusion of the match.

Olivet’s women’s soccer team also joined the effort in raising funds for this notable cause.

All donations raised went toward breast cancer research through the Komen Foundation of Southwest Michigan.

Olivet College Garden College Receives Free H1N1 Flu Vaccinations Olivet College and Marshall Internal & Family Medicine (MIFM) hosted an H1N1 Flu Clinic Oct. 21-26 in Burrage Library. MIFM provided the college with 1,300 free H1N1 flu vaccinations for students and employees. Members of the U.S. National Guard were also on hand to assist with administering the vaccine.

“I want to thank our Wellness Center staff, Marshall Internal & Family Medicine and the National Guard for their great work on providing this important service to our students and employees,” said President Donald L. Tuski, ’85, Ph.D. The clinic was featured on WILX 10 and WLNS 6 news in Lansing.

This spring, Olivet partnered with Chartwells, the college’s food service provider, to plant a vegetable garden near Gillette Student Village. The garden, which produces onions, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers and beans, was created as a means to provide fresh, local produce for students and employees who eat at the college’s Kirk Center (KC).

To date, the college has harvested more than 1,000 pounds of vegetables, which were then purchased by Chartwells and served at the KC. The useable items were sold at market value, which covered the cost of materials such as seeds and a rototiller, and generated a small profit for the college.

Olivet plans to expand the garden and add more food options for spring 2010.

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BY MOLLY (REED) GOALEY ’05 At one point in the 1940s, the college nearly closed its doors Any Olivetian who has attended Founders’ Day knows the forever when a motion by the board of trustees to shut it down story of the college’s beginning. In 1844, “Father” John J. Shipherd failed by one vote. ventured into the Michigan wilderness and established Olivet But despite its sometimes questionable fate, Olivet College on top of a hill surrounded by nothing but oak trees. Why he was persevered, and alumni from all decades have made the college drawn to this particular location (which now serves as the College what it is today. Those from the Square) remains a mystery – but all ’30s and ’40s may remember accounts of the college’s founding how the college earned a say one thing – Father Shipherd national reputation in literature felt “called” to this place. and art under President Now, 165 years later, Olivet still Joseph Brewer. Alumni from seems to have the same effect on the ’60s and ’70s may recall the people. Students come here for groundbreakings for the Lester much more than an education – K. Kirk Center and Mott they foster a connection with the Academic Center, or the 1974 campus, and subsequently become football season, when the part of its history. Olivet is a place Comets won the MIAA where lifelong friendships are made, championship with a perfect 5where career aspirations become 0 record. And today’s students, reality, and where sporting events, who will serve as the next dances, Homecoming and society generation of Olivet College pledging are more than just annual alumni, are the first to events – they are part of cherished experience the college’s memories. That’s why so many Milton Horn, former artist-in-residence, with unprecedented growth. They alumni return to these oaks long his sculpture of “Father” John J. Shipherd will look back and recall the after graduation. first commencement ceremony at The Cutler Event Center, being Father Shipherd died before he could see his new college part of the largest freshman class in the college’s history, or their and colony take shape, but not even he could have imagined the first year living in the Gillette Student Village. many facets of Olivet’s 165-year journey. Decades before Hundreds of alumni returned to Olivet’s campus for this buildings like Burrage Library, Dole Hall and the Cutler Event year’s Homecoming, titled “165 Years and Counting.” Many of Center existed, classes were held in a single log cabin. Now an them gathered with old friends and former professors to reminisce accredited institution, Olivet was denied a state charter for 15 about the Olivet moments that were significant to them – and to years because of its abolitionist beliefs. once again answer the call to return to the oaks. With 165 years in At times, the college struggled to survive. The sudden death college history behind us, Olivet College is ready to embrace the of Father Shipherd, wars, economic hardship and changes in significant events that lie ahead. administration have all threatened Olivet’s existence in the past.

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BY MARTY (MASON) JENNINGS ’67 AND MIKE FALES ’75

The following timeline highlights significant events throughout Olivet College’s 165-year history. Please note, due to space constraints, not all of the college’s historical events are reflected in this timeline. Although dates are accurate to the best of the college’s knowledge, some sources may vary.

1836

1843

1844

1844 1844 1844 1844 1845 1845 1845 1846 1846 1847

1847 1847

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“Father” John J. Shipherd secures subscriptions from the New England states for sufficient funds to build a college at Grand River City, better known as Delta Mills, in Eaton County. A poor economy prevents collection of the money and the project is temporarily abandoned.

Shipherd travels to Michigan and then returns to Oberlin, Ohio. He names Olivet after the Mount of Olives and the nearby creek the Kedron – both from the Bible. Shipherd felt that God was calling him to Olivet.

Shipherd leaves Oberlin with 39 missionaries and arrives at Olivet in February; he dies in September from malaria. Many of the remaining missionaries leave or die.

Olivet is founded as a manual labor school.

Legal transactions for the purchase of the land for the institution are complete – 40 acres for $100.

President Reuben Hatch applies for charter. Oramel Hosford arrives from Oberlin to resurrect Olivet College.

First class is taught by Hosford in a log cabin in December.

Hatch and Hosford apply for charter.

Colonial Hall is built (only building constructed in the College Square) but burns down before it can be used.

First commencement is held in June.

Classes begin as the Olivet Institute, a two-year college.

Hatch is turned down for charter.

First school building erected; the first chapel was the upper room of the school building.

First college catalog is printed in June.

Phi Alpha Pi is founded – was known as the Olivet Lyceum and later, the Philalethian Society. Societies were molded after secret societies at Yale. Three original societies were founded before the Greek letters system was established.

Ladies Literary Society is founded Oct. 14 – later known as Erodelphian and then Soronian – it is believed to be the first women’s literary society in the United States.

72 students are enrolled, of which 39 are ladies and 33 are gentlemen.

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1847

Emily Bartlett is named principal of female department; visual arts program begins and Bartlett serves as the first art professor.

1847 Abby Hosford is named assistant principal of female department.

1848 Classes offered as Olivet Institute.

1849 Hosford House is built by Oramel Hosford. It remains the oldest structure on campus.

1851 First school building burns down.

1859 Transformation from institute to college – charter is granted. The college’s motto, “Pro Christo et Humanitate,” is assumed – only one year before the Civil War did the state of Michigan grant the charter.

1859 Ladies’ Hall is built at a cost of $18,000.

1861 YMCA is organized on campus.

1862 Adelphic Literary Society is founded; they are known as the Clever Fellows and are the first to build their own society house.

1863 First four-year degrees are granted. The recipients are three women – Sophia A. Keyes, Mary N. Barber and Sara A. Benedict; the first four graduating classes are made up of women only, due to the Civil War. 1865 Olivet is incorporated as a village.

1865 Chapel or South Hall (where Dole Hall is today) is completed and raised to three stories.

1865 Adelphic Alpha Pi takes its name.

1865 Soronian takes its name.

1866 Parsons Hall cornerstone is laid by Philo Parsons, Esq., on commencement day.

1867 First men receive four-year degrees.

1870s First international students attend Olivet; the church pays their tuition.

1871 Parsons Hall is completed at a cost of $40,000 (with $15,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Parsons).

1874 Olivet College Conservatory of Music is organized and a legal charter is secured.

1875 Morrison Hall is used as music conservatory until it is torn down in 1971.

1876 YWCA is organized on campus.

1880s Stand-Up is started. It remains the college’s oldest continuous tradition.

1880s Rake Day is started.

1882 Shipherd Hall (formerly South Hall) is rebuilt (where the Kirk Center is today); burns in 1959.

1885 Mather Hall is built and completed at a cost of $30,000.

It is named for Roland Mather from Hartford, Conn., who had given Olivet $16,000. The hall, which served as the science building, featured an exceptional museum.

1888

Colonial Hall is moved from the College Square to a new location (where MacKay Gymnasium currently stands) and becomes a gymnasium. Students did all of the work to move the building.

1888 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) is founded March 24. Delegates from Michigan State, Albion, Hillsdale and Olivet drew up the first MIAA constitution.

1889 Adelphic Alpha Pi house groundbreaking. Students worked during the summer for local farmers so they could use their equipment to quarry the fieldstone and build the foundation for the house.

1889 Burrage Library cornerstone is laid at commencement.

1889 Olivet College is among first schools to offer football.

1890 Adelphic house is dedicated June 18 on commencement day. It is the first literary society to build a house of its own. Attendees then proceeded to Phi Alpha Pi for its groundbreaking.

1891 Phi Alpha Pi house is dedicated June 17.

1893 Congregational Church cornerstone is laid; opens 1894.

1893 Oramel Hosford dies.

1894 Morrison House becomes Music Conservatory.

1907 Sigma Beta is founded Jan. 18.

1909 Soronian cornerstone is laid (Sperry Hall); opens 1910.

1911 Sigma Beta moves into house at 504 Shipherd Street.

1918 Olivet College closes in the spring due to low enrollment – campus is used by military.

1919 Olivet College reopens in the fall after World War I. 1922 Kappa Sigma Alpha is organized.

1922 Alpha Lambda Epsilon is founded Jan. 6.

1928 MacKay Gymnasium is built.

1929 Blair Hall is built.

1931 Dole Hall groundbreaking June 7; cornerstone is laid Oct. 31.

1932 Dole Hall opens – complete with furnishings proposed by the building architect.

1934 President Joseph Brewer to 1944. Brewer saves Olivet College financially.

1934 Curriculum follows Oxford-style tutorial system until 1944.

1936 MIAA first attempts to organize women’s athletic program.

1940s Many artists, poets and writers visit Olivet, including Carl Sandburg, Katherine Ann Porter, Ford Maddox Ford, W.H. Auden, Gertrude Stein, George Rickey and Milton Horn.

1943 1947 1948 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1960 1961 1961 1963 1965 1965 1965 1966 1972 1977 1979 1981 1985 1992 1992 1994 1995 2001 2001 2004 2007 2007 2008 2008 2009 2009

Hosford and Shipherd houses institute newly organized programs; a revival of work for younger students.

Kappa Sigma Alpha is dissolved.

Conflict arises over academic freedom.

Kappa Sig is reestablished and buys Ely House President M. Gorton Riethmiller to 1970.

Olivet is incorporated as a city.

The original Shipherd Hall burns down.

Sigma Beta House groundbreaking June 7; opens 1963.

Lester K. Kirk Center groundbreaking. Kirk was the chair of Olivet’s board of trustees and the chief executive officer of Whirlpool.

Alpha Lambda Epsilon is reorganized.

Oaks Theatre is acquired by the college.

Lester K. Kirk Center is dedicated Sept. 15.

Mather Hall is torn down.

Charles Stewart Mott Academic Center groundbreaking June 5; opens Oct. 15, 1967.

Alpha Lambda Epsilon purchases the Longman House.

Shipherd Hall is dedicated.

Margaret Upton Conservatory of Music groundbreaking; opens 1974.

President Donald A. Morris to 1992.

Frederick S. Upton Center groundbreaking Aug. 19; opens 1980.

Insurance concentration is created in the Business Administration Department.

Joseph E. Brewer Honors House is established.

Burrage Library addition is dedicated.

Olivet gains national media attention after a racial dispute occurs on campus April 2.

African-American Cultural Center is established.

Global Cultural Center is established.

President Donald L. Tuski ’85, Ph.D. to present.

Head Wrestling Coach Jare Klein retires as the winningest Division III wrestling coach. He finished a 33-year career with 569 wins.

Cutler Athletic Complex opens.

The Cutler Event Center groundbreaking; opens Oct. 4, 2008.

Gillette Student Village groundbreaking; opens Sept. 13, 2008.

Mott Auditorium is renovated.

Engle Chemistry Lab opens.

College reaches highest fall enrollment in school history with 1,147 students.

M. Gorton Riethmiller Art Building groundbreaking Oct. 10.

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BY CHRISTINE MOULTON, JUNIOR

Olivet College is known for its rich history and beauty, for its tall oak trees and the buildings perched atop the hill on which Father Shipherd knelt. The simplicity of life which the founding fathers started has remained eminent on campus. One of the oldest recorded buildings at Olivet is the Hosford House, also known now as the Global Cultures Center.

In December of 1844, Oramel Hosford stood before Olivet’s nine students and welcomed them. He was the son of William and Linda Hosford, who traveled Oramel Hosford with Father John J. Shipherd, and helped establish Oberlin College and then Olivet.

Oramel graduated from Oberlin College in 1843. While attending classes, he met his wife Abigail Harlow Allen.

They were married Aug. 27, 1846 at her family home in Mansfield, Mass. They returned to Olivet and in 1849 began building their home, which at the time they named “Twin Oaks.” The house, which still exists today, is located across from the Sigma Beta Literary Society.

Historical documents1 describe the house, which was most likely funded by Abigail’s parents, as “too spacious for their needs, and too prominently placed.” That thought seems to have changed 160 years later.

“It’s just a big old house,” said sophomore Abbe Maas, a current resident of the Hosford House. “It has two floors with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, dining room and laundry room.”

Although it was mentioned that the house didn’t reflect Hosford values, “the

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spacious rooms were typical of homes at the time. With unregulated heat coming from the fireplace, large rooms were less likely to overheat than small ones. Large rooms and broad entranceways also accommodated the female residents’ hoop skirts and bustles as they moved through the decades and changed fashions of the nineteenth century.”

Four students currently live in the house: Maas and seniors Matt Meeuswe, Shyam Shrestha and Ben Hitchcock, who is the resident adviser. Meeuswe, who has lived in the house for two years, said, “We found a few notes last year that indicated a few of the first classes took place in the Hosford House.” He is probably correct. It is recorded that Abigail taught her two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, in the house as there was no elementary school in Olivet.

“In the morning, Abby would dress Elizabeth and Mary, wish them a good day at school, and kiss them goodbye.

Looking forward to the day’s lesson, the girls would walk out the back door of the house… Mary and Elizabeth journeyed for the approximate 30 seconds that it took them to walk around the house, clamber up the porch steps and knock on the front door. Their mother, now transformed into their teacher, would open it.”

The house now serves as a home to international students and selected honor students. “I think this house is a fantastic place for international students,” Meeuswe said. “Although I am technically not ‘international,’ I have enjoyed my stay here, and have enjoyed the opportunity to meet students from various backgrounds.

For those students not familiar with Olivet, this house creates a warm inviting welcome to the college.”

All excerpts taken from a collection of historical documents titled “The Hosfords: A Family of Early Oberlin and Olivet,” by Marjorie Seymour ’75.

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BY JANE (NELSON) O’BRIEN ’65, WOMEN’S BOARD HISTORIAN

The Ladies Board of Olivet College was formed in 1859, 150 years ago, by the Olivet College Board of Trustees. The members were appointed and the purpose of the Ladies Board was to assist the dean of women in advising the young female students. The Ladies Board established rules of conduct for the female students, as well as provided items of comfort and enjoyment.

The Congregational church also had a ladies group, the Ladies Benevolent Society, which gave assistance to students. In fact, this group once collected $7.35 to keep a student from India in school. The activities of the two groups overlapped, and it is possible that the memberships might have done the same.

At some time the Ladies Board became the Women’s Auxiliary Board, and members were no longer appointed by the board of trustees. They were voted in by the membership, but they were not a prestigious or social group. This was a working organization with members who were willing to spend time and energy accomplishing their goals. If a woman from the community showed interest in the college, either by work or financial contribution, she was invited to become a member. As means of transportation became available, the membership included women from the Congregational churches around the state, college personnel, faculty wives, wives of trustees, alumnae, mothers of students and other interested women. In 1977 the members voted to drop the word “auxiliary” from the name of our organization. Those who voted for the change felt the women had earned the right to be more than just an auxiliary organization. Since that time, we have officially been the Women’s Board of Olivet College.

The earliest minutes of a meeting date back to Oct. 24, 1905, hand-written

and tied with yarn. There were four members and two guests present. One of the guests, Miss Algoe, was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. Later, her name appears as a member of the group.

I assume she passed the time and energy test!

At the June meeting in 1906 it was noted that a committee was appointed to take care of the needs of Shipherd Hall.

This shows the focus was changing from conduct to projects. A favorite way of raising money was to host a Bohemian tea.

I have to admit neither Elizabeth Selden, who I must credit for much of this research, nor I can explain a Bohemian tea, but apparently it was quite successful. The committee was authorized to spend $150 on the floors of Shipherd Hall.

By June 1911, after many resignations and new additions, the membership stood at 36. Projects such as making curtains and furnishing guest rooms continued to be the focus for many years. Once the board was

even asked to assume the salary of the dean of women, and they were able to contribute $500. No one should make light of the work these women did, as it was a difficult time for Olivet College. In June of 1918 the minutes of the meeting ended with this sentence, “Because of the condition of Olivet College, no plans for the future were made.” The next entry is dated Sept. 1, 1920, and the ladies were back at work raising money for an addition to Shipherd’s dining room and kitchen, as well as furnishing the infirmary.

The first mention of scholarships came at the May meeting in 1935. At the annual meeting on June 14 the board voted to give a scholarship to a local girl in the fall. They wrote letters to women’s organizations of the Congregational churches in Michigan asking for donations.

The board hoped to give annual scholarships which would be sponsored by these churches, and the recipients would be chosen after consulting with the college administration. By February 1937 the treasurer’s report included $100 paid out to a student, which is presumably the first scholarship.

Money making projects such as strawberry festivals, garden tours, book and bake sales, bridge tournaments, and theater nights became the source of proceeds to supplement the income from membership dues. And then, in the fall of 1972, the Oak Chest was born. It was the brainchild of Jean Conover, Charlotte Whitney, Jytta Bowers and Chris Mabry.

Their plan – no rummage, bargain prices – was presented to the board of directors who voted to underwrite rent for a threemonth trial period. On Oct. 5, 1972, after countless hours of sweat and toil, a new resale shop officially opened in the Sours building on Washington and Main. It was staffed by volunteers, and all proceeds went to Olivet College and the scholarship program, as is the case today.

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Above right: Terry Cannon ’65

BY MOLLY (REED) GOALEY ’05

They may not be as recognizable today as other bands from the ’60s and ’70s, but the Camel Drivers remain a gem in many a record collection.

After a long run as one of Michigan’s top-billed bands and a close brush with stardom, the group, which formed out of Olivet College in 1961, called it quits in the mid-’70s.

But Terry Connon ’65, an original member of the band, still gets contacted

by fans who have found him on YouTube.com and other Web sites.

The most loyal ones send him pictures, records and billboard charts from the group’s playing days – in 1968, he says, their single, “Sunday Morning Six O’Clock,” was listed as a WKNR-Detroit Top Song of the Year. They beat out a Beatles’ song, “Lady Madonna,” for that ranking – not bad for a group of guys who got their start “goofing around” in Blair Hall.

“We were hanging out in Blair,” Connon said, “and just goofing around with a tenor guitar and ukulele and singing folk songs. Dick Nahikian had just

purchased an electric guitar with lessons from a guy in the dorm. We decided to go where the band equipment was kept because that gave us access to a set of drums and a phonograph player with a microphone.”

Connon and his friends Nahikian ’66, Tom Curlin ’66 and Gary Brown ex’66, the original members of the Camel Drivers, unknowingly launched a 13-year career in music that day. What started out as a few practice sessions turned into 15minute performances at the group’s fraternity, Phi Alpha Pi. “We got our first chance to perform at a Phi Alpha dance,” Connon said. “They were actually record hops and the actives would let us play a couple of songs during the intermission. Eventually, we became the featured act instead of the records.”

Soon after, their fraternity brother John Nyboer ’63, who Connon describes lightheartedly as the “hustler of hustlers,” talked a Battle Creek bar owner into hiring the group to perform on Friday and Saturday nights. “John ordained himself as our manager and was happy to get drink concessions for his efforts,” Connon joked.

“Funny that later, when we were recording and performing in Detroit, John took a job with the Gail & Rice Talent Agency and did book us on jobs.”

Although they were well received by the local bar patrons, the band was gaining widespread popularity among the college crowd, even outside Olivet.

“One highlight I remember was that we were equally billed with Duke Ellington for the Michigan State University homecoming dance,” Connon said. “We were in a hall for the people who wanted to rock ’n’ roll and Duke Ellington was in a hall for those who wanted swing music. Word spread via the fraternity hotline and we were booked at the University of Michigan and Northwestern University.”

From the college gigs came an opportunity to play at Coral Gables, a chain of bars in Saugatuck, Grand Rapids, East Lansing and Detroit. Despite line-up changes, the band remained strong, and their fan base kept growing and growing.

Tom’s younger brother, Dave Curlin ’70, graduated high school, enrolled at Olivet and joined the group. “This is when we began the three-part harmony vocals we were noted for,” Connon said. “Tom’s, Dave’s and my voice blended together very well and a sound was born.”

Throughout their career, those threepart harmony vocals would remain the group’s signature sound. “Over the years we had about seven different drummers and six lead guitarists, but the nucleus was always Tom, Dave and myself doing our vocals,” Connon said. “Our recording contracts were issued to and signed by just the three of us.”

The group was approached about doing commercials while playing in Detroit. “We did vocal commercials for both radio and television, mostly for automotive products,” Connon said. “The company that produced the commercials, Artie Fields Productions, also had a record label. We were eventually signed to the label, Top Dog.” The group’s first record, “It’s Gonna Rain,” soon began receiving air play on major radio stations in Detroit. WKNR played the record as part of their spotlight on local artists – the same manner in which artists like Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, The Amboy Dukes and The Rationals were initially featured.

When their second release, “Sunday Morning Six O’Clock,” hit the airwaves, the national record companies came calling. “There were a couple from New York and a couple from Los Angeles.

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offers, the group decided on Buddah (sic) Records in New York, a label that specialized in signing bubblegum pop acts.

“They released ‘Sunday Morning’ on Buddah and began a national promotion,” Connon said.

Hot off the buzz generated by “Sunday Morning,” the group was selected

by Chevrolet’s advertising agency to participate in a national tour for the 1969 new car unveilings. They traveled to major markets across America, performing in New York, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Dallas. “We had actors and dancers galore and we performed a couple of songs written for the show,” Connon said. “They had a new

Terry Cannon ’65 (left) and Tom Curlin ’66, original members of the Camel Drivers.

convertible waiting for us in every city and the local Chevy representative would show us the sites.”

Just before leaving on the Chevy tour, the Camel Drivers had recorded a song, “I’m Gonna Make You Mine,” for Neil Bogart, founder of Buddah. “We had submitted a follow-up song to ‘Sunday Morning,’ but Neil was the hit-maker and asked us to record ‘I’m Gonna Make You Mine,’” Connon said. “He guaranteed it would be a number one hit – ‘American Bandstand,’ TV shows, et cetera. We loved the song and were happy to record it.

“Then came the heartbreak – while we were on the Chevy tour, we heard ‘I’m Gonna Make You Mine’ on the radio –

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same song, similar version, but by Lou Christie. We were crushed.”

It had turned out that Bogart and the executives at Buddah liked the Camel Drivers’ version of the song, but were unhappy with Fields’ production of it.

Buddah wanted to fly the group to New York to re-record the song, but Fields prevented the meeting from happening.

Christie’s version did eventually reach number one on the charts.

“We called Fields on it and he blamed the ‘big guys in New York’ and said he was protecting us from them,” Connon said.

“We immediately quit.”

The band then attempted to sign with Bogart directly, but Fields presented them with a lawsuit. Eventually, they signed with HollandDozier-Holland of Motown fame on the Invictus label. But creative differences soon led to another falling-out.

“We continued to play the local nightclub circuit, until we felt it was time to go in new directions,” Connon said.

“We ended it in 1974 after 13 years of playing. No regrets – we had a great run.”

Connon is modest about summing up the group’s career. “We were basically a working band that performed the Detroit nightclub circuit, recorded vocals for commercials and released a few albums.

Not much more to it than that,” he said.

But testimonials from their fans – from Olivet to Detroit and all over the country – prove they were much more.

“They developed an uncanny knack for hearing a popular song and being able to produce an almost identical rendition of it.

Looking back, I know they were special and how fortunate I was to be able to share in their company and music.” Ken Driver ’65 “The Camel Drivers were a great band.

I used to sneak into the dances at Olivet College to hear them.” Comment posted on Peach Fuzz Forest music blog

“We actually moved the floor of the Soronian chapter room during at least one dance. When they played in Lansing there was not an inch of room in any car that left Olivet – strict seatbelt laws were yet to come!” Joan (Peterson) Littman ’67 “I grew up with Dave Curlin and knew Tom and Dick that long as well.

I remember sitting in their bedroom listening to Dave and Tom strum and sing different songs from the radio. Tom went off to Olivet and Dave was in a trio in high school. When we got to Olivet together Dave was in the Camel Drivers. I remember them playing at the Allegan County Fair on the big stage where Three Dog Night, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, Charlie Pride, Ted Nugent and other big artists have played over the years. Those were wonderful days and the Camel Drivers helped to make them even more so.” Bob Winchester ’69 “The band was still performing in the Detroit area while I was at Olivet (197175). I would see them whenever I could.

Their lack of fame was not due to a lack of talent.” Lloyd Holm ’75, M.D. “The Camel Drivers followed us back to Asbury Park, New Jersey for two summers and were the band at Mrs. Jay’s, later known as the Stone Pony, where Bruce Springsteen was known to play! Do Terry, Tom and the guys know how they rocked the Jersey Shore a few years ago?” Rich Smith ’66 To view more photos and hear the music of the Camel Drivers, visit www.youtube.com and search “Camel Drivers.”

The music of the Camel Drivers is now available on CD. The cost is $15 for a single disc featuring the group’s studio recorded material, including the hit “Sunday Morning Six O’Clock,” and/or $30 for a three-disc set of the group performing live in the ’70s. To order, please indicate which disc(s) you would like to receive and make a check payable for the full amount to Terrence Connon, 14279 85th Ave., Seminole, FL 33776. Please allow two to four weeks for delivery. All proceeds benefit Phi Alpha Pi.

BY MOLLY (REED) GOALEY ’05

Some things in life are worth splurging money, time and energy on, and for many students, concerts top that list.

Most of them won’t hesitate to travel to Detroit, Grand Rapids or even Chicago when live music is on the line; for as music lovers know, nothing beats the rush of a great headliner. But sometimes, a worthy act can be found right here on Olivet’s campus. Blake Walters is part of that musical elite – and he’s ready and willing to rock.

Music has always been a large part of Walters’ life. Growing up in Olivet, his grandparents introduced him to bluegrass at an early age. His older brother, Brandon ’07, was also a musician. The younger Walters began playing the saxophone in fifth grade and has since dabbled with banjo, bass, bass drum and guitar. He also gives much credit to a “really awesome” band director who instructed him from elementary through high school.

“I still have a pretty good relationship with him,” Walters said of the influential teacher. “I studied with him my whole senior year and even played my banjo for a semester. I played my saxophone for concert band and jazz band, I played the bass drum during marching band and I just enjoyed the camaraderie I had with all the people in band. These were the same people I was out on the football field with and hung out with. These friends probably helped me stay out of trouble, too,” he said.

Now a senior majoring in biology, Walters has proven himself a serious student. In addition to playing in the college’s jazz band and wind ensemble, he is president of Inter Society Council and treasurer of Adelphic Alpha Pi, has been a member of the track & field team and intramural football, and has worked on

campus in the mail room and giving tours to prospective students.

His biggest claim to fame, however, is as bass player for The JHD, a band comprised of Walters, senior Justin Hutchison, and Geoff Britton, a student at Western Michigan University. Influenced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Tom Waits, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rush and even Michael Jackson, the group has created a sound and style that is all their own.

“People always ask me who we sound like and it’s hard for me to give them a direct name and focus on it,” Walters said.

We have a lot of lead vocals and we really have a keen sense lyrically. There is no swearing in our songs – it would make us look bad. We figure, if swearing is the best thing we can come up with then we’re not very creative. We try to paint a different picture.”

According to Walters, the band has found a solid fan base at Olivet. Their classmates have seen them perform at Adelphic, and in 2008 the group was voted by their peers as winner of the “Olivet Idol” music competition. “There were definitely talented people there, but when it comes down to crowd pleasing effects, a live band is going to bring a lot of power and emotion,” Walters said. “We started out with one of our original songs, then we had a drum break and usually after that drum break we go right into a solo and finish out the song. But we stopped, played ‘99 Problems’ by Jay-Z, and then we finished out our song,” he explained. “We just try to have fun with it.”

In addition to performing on campus, the band has played gigs at Planet Rock in Battle Creek, Small Planet in East Lansing and other venues. They have sent their music out into cyberspace,

Senior Blake Walters

communicating with fans on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. “We have a pretty loyal following,” Walters said. “The fans we have now are the ones who are going to keep coming out to listen to us.”

Walters says they are currently recording a six-song demo to hand out at shows and hope to eventually sign to a record label. “If I could make this into a career, that would be the ultimate goal,” he said. “We all graduate this upcoming May, and have talked about touring if we had the opportunity.”

But if a lucrative music career is not in the cards for him, Walters is happy to have other options. He has already been accepted to graduate school at University of St. Francis in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and says that his love for science is a close second to his love for music.

“I came to college because I’m interested in biology and that’s what I love to do,” he said. “But if my full-time career came down to playing the bass or doing field research, I’d choose music.”

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BY PAM RUTYNA

During family gatherings at the Federau home in Okemos, the usual conversations between relatives can be heard. However, members of the Federau clan share a common bond unique to their family – it’s a long relationship with Olivet College.

Marc Federau, who graduated in 1981 with a degree in business, first attended Olivet in the fall of 1977.

Although he had a scholarship to play football at Northern Michigan University, he decided to attend Olivet because he wanted to be closer to his family. It was a decision that would change his life.

When Marc was a senior, he took a public speaking class and met Deb Bowers ’83. While she knew who he was before the class, it wasn’t until officially meeting each other in the class that Marc asked Deb out for the first time. “We went to a Michigan State University

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football game,” recalled Deb. “After that, we were pretty much inseparable.”

After graduating, Marc took a job in Cincinnati at Firemen’s Fund Insurance Company for a year. During that time, Deb worked hard so she could graduate early. “I finished my coursework in three years and did a professional semester from June to December of 1982,” said Deb. “Marc and I married in August 1982 after he returned from Cincinnati.”

While Marc and Deb were attending Olivet, Marc’s father, Doug Federau, was in the midst of helping create the insurance program at the college. The owner of his own insurance agency in Okemos, Doug was involved in the local Rotary club, where he knew Bill Burgess, who was a member of the board creating the insurance program. “Bill asked me to help develop this program with him, and I became an ad hoc instructor for a few years,” said Doug.

Although his son was a student at the college, Doug said that didn’t have any bearing on his decision. “I used to be a national speaker for different insurance associations and I traveled all over the country,” he said. “I enjoyed the opportunity to speak and teach at the college. I think I would have helped Olivet regardless of where Marc went to school. But because we have this connection, it makes it special.”

Doug, Marc and Deb aren’t the only ones with a connection to Olivet. Marc and Deb’s two daughters, Erin ’08 and Gabrielle, a senior, also decided to attend.

However, neither of them decided on Olivet because their parents or grandfather had ties to the school.

In fact, it was important to Marc and Deb that their children chose a college they wanted to attend, not where Marc and Deb wanted them to go.

Erin, who is in her second year of law been one of the most rewarding school at Michigan State University, began experiences I’ve had at Olivet. I believe her college studies at Grand Valley State anyone who knows the Federaus University, but left after a year. She then appreciates their loyalty and work ethic.” attended Lansing Community College for According to Erin, the strong a year, before deciding to go to Olivet. connection each family member has had “After something of a false start at Grand with the school seems to have grown since Valley, I wasn’t sure college was for me,” she and her sister decided to attend. “It said Erin, who majored in criminal justice seems as if the college’s impact on my with a concentration in forensic science. “My dad suggested that I consider Olivet, which had provided him with so much strength and support while he was in school.

“So, with a mostly open mind, I went to visit and immediately loved the smaller atmosphere,” she added. “On my first visit, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of the professors who ended up becoming a large part of my education at Olivet. Every single professor seemed to be interested in me: how I learned best; what my goals were for my education; and what classes I was interested in. That first visit swayed me as nothing else could have.”

Like her older sister, Gabrielle, an insurance and risk management major, really enjoyed the small class sizes at Olivet and the attention Senior Gabrielle Federau from the professors. “I also really wanted to play basketball and Olivet provided me with a chance to have family has grown or at least become more everything I wanted out of my college prominent since I was accepted,” she said. experience,” she said.

“This is a place that has not only helped In fact, one of her professors, Clair them and was a large part of their early Stevens, associate professor of insurance lives, but is something that they can in and risk management, has had an turn help to grow and foster as well. influence on most of the Federau family “It permeates my family’s life, almost members. “Clair helped Marc so much as though it were a close friend,” she through his first few years at Olivet,” said continued. “It’s hard to explain such a Doug. “He’s a real asset to the college. He’s connection, because it’s had such an brought all of my family members who impact on many members in my family. have attended Olivet to a level they would It not only helped me to be who I am, not otherwise have attained.” but it’s helped all of us.”

Stevens feels just as honored to know Deb echoed her daughter’s thoughts. the Federau family. “It’s been a privilege to “This school has meant everything,” she teach the Federau family,” he said. “It’s said. “It’s where I met my husband,

earned my degree in psychology and sociology, and made lifelong friends.”

And while many members of the Federau family have attended Olivet, Marc and Deb are quick to mention their son, Drew, who attended Northern Michigan University. “Even though he went to Northern, he really likes Olivet College,” said Marc. “He knows a lot of people from there, including his parents’ and sisters’ friends, and he’s been to several Homecoming events over the years. I don’t think he feels left out in the least.”

When Gabrielle finishes her coursework at the college, it doesn’t mean the connection with Olivet is over. Neither is the support the family will provide.

For example, Doug recently began the Federau Challenge and donated $100,000 to the insurance program. “Last December, I gave the college the donation with the challenge that they find donors to match that amount,” said Doug. “When they do, I’ll give another $100,000 and they will have to find donors to match that. That money will go to the insurance program for day-today operations and scholarships.”

Of course, the connection the family has with the school and each other will never end.

“It’s a strange connection, because without the influence of Olivet, none of us would be who we are,” said Erin. “My parents would never have met, my father would never have succeeded in his chosen profession, I may never have graduated or believed I could make it to law school, and my sister may never have realized how good she is at insurance.

“And perhaps even more importantly,” she continued, “we wouldn’t have this wonderful college behind us, which supports and helps its alumni long after graduation and creates a sense of belonging to something great.”

From left: Erin ’08, senior Gabrielle, Doug, Deb (Bowers) ’83 and Marc ’81 Federau.

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“It’s very weird for me to look back and think it’s been over 30 years. It goes so quickly, but you have to realize these are some of the best years of your life. Olivet is a magical place – my memories of the campus, my friends, Phi Alpha Pi and the radio station are always with me.”

– Chuck Mefford ’76

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BY KENDRA CAVIN, SOPHOMORE

Chuck Mefford ’76 knew from an early age that communications was his calling. He also knew his way around a radio station better than anyone because of the experience he already had. Mefford, a native of Mason, grew up in the radio business alongside his father, Charles D. Mefford, who owned his own

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station. So no one was surprised when the younger Mefford came to Olivet and started the college’s first 100 watt FM educational radio station in 1975. Although there had previously been a radio station on campus, it only reached buildings a few hundred feet away and was very problematic.

Mefford saw an opportunity and, through the generosity of alumni, parents and friends of Olivet, started WOCRFM. As general manager, he promoted the radio station whenever he could, including sending a campus-wide letter encouraging everyone to take part in getting the station off its feet and into the air – literally.

“I had to fill the staff. We had a small budget and I hired some students, but most were volunteers,” Mefford said.

Chuck Mefford ’76 at the helm for WOCR

“I trained about 25 people and we went on the air from 6 p.m. until midnight every night during the school year.”

Mefford’s father also helped WOCR by donating $30,000 to renovate the radio station. This donation, however, came with a deal.

“He told me, ‘I want to keep the funding going but you need to get a business degree,’” Mefford said. “So I said, ‘Okay, I’ll get a business degree.’”

In the end, Mefford graduated from Olivet with degrees in business administration and mass communications, which is what fuels his career today. After sticking with the radio business for several years, Mefford found his career in consulting in the ’90s and started his own

business. Until 1995 he was consulting radio stations in sales and marketing; he then moved to Dallas, Texas where he changed the name of his firm to Lighthouse Communications.

Mefford landed great jobs early in his career. He worked for Fortune 500 companies such as Pizza Hut, Budweiser and John Deere, but soon realized that corporate America was not for him.

Mefford and his team now focus on helping small business owners. He said the firm is dedicated to growing small business America by helping companies that generate $2 million to $20 million in sales growth through branding. What’s more, his income is solely based on the success of his partner companies.

Years after launching WOCR, Mefford’s hard work is paying off here at the college as well. The station is still in operation and stronger than ever, and station manager Beth Mitchell will tell anyone that.

Mitchell, a sophomore and journalism/mass communications ( JMC) major, was appointed manager in the fall of 2008 after just a year of serving as a disc jockey (DJ). Now Beth is taking WOCR to new heights.

“Student involvement is what I push for the most.”

Mitchell said.

And student involvement is what she’s getting. WOCR is now bringing more programs and better variety to Olivet’s campus with more than 25 DJs, some of whom are not JMC majors.

“I’m enjoying that there is variety among our DJs. We do have JMC majors but we also have some business majors, some science majors, some psychology majors,” Mitchell said. “And it’s

cool because they aren’t specializing in radio but they are completely dedicated.”

After all the hard work, and ample amounts of time promoting and advertising the radio station, Mitchell is getting to see her dream for WOCR come true.

Looking back, Mefford feels the same. He is pleased to see that the radio station is still around. He also believes WOCR and other campus resources that can help students get ready for the “real world” are of great importance.

“It’s very weird for me to look back and think it’s been over 30 years. It goes so quickly, but you have to realize these are some of the best years of your life,” Mefford said. “Olivet is a magical place – my memories of the campus, my friends, Phi Alpha Pi and the radio station are always with me.”

Sophomore Beth Mitchell

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Unbeknownst to Doug Kelsey ’72, until earlier this year, he had been living in the house where other Olivetians had lived.

It was not until a distant relative inquired about the Benedicts that Doug learned of the Olivet connection.

In 1843, W.U. Benedict, his wife, Almira, and their family moved from New York to Vermontville, where W.U. became the minister and also started the Vermontville Academy. One of his four children, Sara, attended Olivet College and was a member of the W.U. Benedict first graduating class in 1863, which consisted of three women. Sara went on to teach drawing and painting at Olivet before venturing out on her own to study art in New York City and Chicago.

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BY MARTY (MASON) JENNINGS ’67

Doug Kelsey ’72

It was 1939 when the Kelsey family of Vermontville purchased the “Angel House,” which had been built in 1843 by W.U. Benedict, the town’s second Congregational minister. Prior to the Kelsey family, only the Benedicts, up until 1920, and two other families, between 1920 and 1939, had lived in the house.

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Eventually, Sara returned to Vermontville and married Dr. George W. Williams in 1874. The couple moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, and had their daughter, Alma, in January 1879. When Alma was 7, Sara took her to Paris where Sara studied art and Alma attended a private Catholic girls’ school. Alma had her first piano lesson in Paris, which launched her future career in music. While there, Sara’s husband, from whom she was separated, died under tragic circumstances.

Sara and her daughter returned to Vermontville in 1890 and, once again, Sara lived in her childhood home. Four years later, she married Rev. Andrew Cossar, a Scottish immigrant and Congregational minister in Vermontville.

The “Angel Room” in the Kelsey house was Alma’s bedroom. In that room 125 yeas ago, Sara painted fresco murals of about 40 angels and cherubs adorned with violets on the double ceiling.

All of the cherubs are unclothed except for one Alma Williams in the middle of the room, which is said to represent Alma. When Alma first saw the painting, she wept, saying, “my little friends for a long, long time.”

Sara went on to become a well respected artist, and her paintings are in several museums, including the

Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. She lived a long life, but completely lost her eyesight in her 90s, and then lived with her daughter in northern Michigan. In 1918, Sara returned to her Vermontville home and died the following year.

and life of Sara, who accomplished so much for a woman in the 1800s; and “Teens and Tales.” Alma was also a piano teacher and is noted for her work and support of Interlochen Music Camp.

Doug Kelsey, the current mayor of Vermontville, has lived in the area all his life. He has been on the village council since 2000, and his father served on the council from 1948-56. Living in the Benedict House is very special to him.

There are other paintings in addition to the angels, which have been on display since the 1880s. One of the murals is beneath four layers of wallpaper and Doug hopes to unveil it in the near future.

Quite large, the house has seven rooms on the main floor and six on the second floor.

When Doug’s mother taught school, she would take her students to her house during Michigan Week and tell them about the paintings and the history of the house.

Sara Benedict

Alma, who also attended Olivet College, met her future husband, Dr.Lester Swinton, at Olivet. They made their home in Ontonagon where her husband practiced medicine for many years, serving the mining and lumber camps.

She became a writer and published, “I Married a Doctor,” telling about her experiences assisting her husband; “Tales My Mother Told Me,” giving a first-hand impression of the personality

Doug would enjoy hearing from former classmates. E-mail him at dkelsey@sbcglobal.net.

The Benedict House in Vermontville today

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BY JACKIE BOUNDS

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Never underestimate the power of a small group of women. At Olivet, women have a rich history of academic success.

In 1863, three women – Mary Barber, Sara Benedict and Sophia Keyes, made up Olivet’s first graduating class. In more recent history, four women – Natalie Cavett, Kerry Davis, Natalie Lopez and Tanja Rupert, were the first group of students to earn a special education teaching certificate from Olivet.

Teaching is traditionally a female career and it’s no surprise that four women led the special education arena at Olivet.

As 2009 graduates, Cavett, Davis, Lopez and Rupert are pioneers in their own time.

These women took many of the same courses together and offered input about how to make future programs even better.

Wayne Buletza, Ed.D., assistant professor of education, taught most of the special education courses. “He wanted to make sure we were getting the best education possible,” said Cavett. “Instead of saying, ‘we will fix that next year,’ he made necessary changes as we went along.”

Special education is one of the fastest growing majors at Olivet, according to Rebecca Cutler, assistant professor of education and director of the special education program. “What began with four students has increased to 42 students and more than half are female,” she said.

The college currently offers a special education endorsement in emotional impairment and will offer an endorsement in learning disabilities beginning in January 2010.

“Special education is a very marketable major that strengthens the educational program and offers students more options,” said Cutler. “The demand for teachers in special education is significant. There is a huge shortage statewide and nationally.”

That’s good news for recent graduates of the program. Natalie Cavett was fortunate to land a job at Hyatt Elementary School in Linden. She teaches a cognitively impaired class of 15 students ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade.

“My job is demanding at times, but I absolutely love the kids,” she said. “I didn’t realize how hard it would be to coordinate all levels, but it’s also fun and I’m up for the challenge. I enjoy seeing the interaction between students – it’s almost a big brother situation for them with so many grade levels in one class.”

“Each student is also part of their respective general education class for socialization, but they complete their

Natalie Cavett ’09

academic work in my room,” she said.

Her first challenge as a new teacher was coordinating each student’s schedule and meeting the needs of her students. For example, she has a fifth grader reading at a second grade level so he needed to be in the right place at the right time.

“I have high expectations for all students and I celebrate small successes,” said Cavett. “I enjoy smaller classes sizes and getting to know each student on a personal level.”

Cavett student taught two semesters, one in general education and one in special education. “When I was student teaching seven special education kids I knew all about their families and outside activities,” she said. “When I taught in the general education classroom with 27 students, I didn’t have much individual time. Now I am thankful to have established relationships with each student in my small classroom.”

Special education has more job openings than general education, possibly

because of the higher burnout rate of special education teachers. Cavett plans to beat the odds by utilizing her five classroom aids and other resources effectively.

“I have a supportive staff and have no problem asking for help,” she said. “I learned to pick one thing to focus on and then move to the next. I can’t save the world in one day, it takes small steps.

I ask for help with curriculum and ask for resources.”

Fellow graduate Kerry Davis also plans to become a special education teacher. She recommends special education for people who are truly dedicated in their heart. “Teachers have to love what they do,” she said. “They can’t choose special education just to get a job,” she said. Davis realized what she was getting into during her student teaching semester. An experienced teacher helped her learn how to handle complicated situations in the kindergarten through fourth grade classroom.

Davis chose Olivet because it was a close commute to her home in Eaton Rapids and she was offered several scholarships. She is currently working as a nanny for a special needs family, but her goal is to teach a self-contained emotionally impaired classroom. Davis plans to gain more experience working as a long-term substitute teacher for a position beginning in January.

According to Cutler, research shows that more experience in the classroom better prepares teachers. “In the introductory special education classes, students are required four or five classroom observations per semester,” she said. “As students get further into the major, they are required to observe classrooms once a week.”

Both Cavett and Davis agree that this additional classroom experience has helped them feel more secure about how to handle situations while teaching.

“From my very first class at Olivet I was in a real classroom observing teachers in action,” said Cavett. “Teaching is so much more than a textbook – you can learn from real life experiences.”

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June 11, 1916 – Sept. 18, 2009

BY MARTY (MASON) JENNINGS ’67

Laura Verplank’s love for Olivet was always eminent throughout her life. It was during the tutorial era with President Joseph Brewer in 1938 that Laura graduated from the college with a degree in language arts. Her love of the theatre program led to her participation in the Grand Rapids Civic Players and the Brattleboro Summer Theatre in Vermont.

After graduating from Olivet, Laura went on to be an interior decorator in Grand Rapids and New York City. When she married Marvin Verplank in 1941, she returned to her hometown of Zeeland, where she raised her four children: Peter, Richard, Kate and Bill.

From 1967-69 Laura taught in the Zeeland Public Schools and then became the librarian at Zeeland High School until her retirement in 1979. During that time, she earned her master’s degree in library science from the University of Michigan.

In 1981, Laura returned to Olivet as director of alumni relations, a position that she held for eight years. With a love for people and letter writing, she became a friend to many alumni and associates, bringing them back to her beloved alma mater. During the 1980s, Laura planned and managed alumni tours, which made it possible for alumni to reconnect in Boston; Washington, D.C.; and Williamsburg, Va. The tours were always educational and fun. During her tenure at Olivet, she wrote an article for the alumni quarterly, called “Keeping in Touch.” In a speech, she mentioned that “everyone on the staff of our small college is expected to handle more than one job. My work includes working with an interior designer and sharing the responsibility of refurbishing our buildings,” as well as serving as alumni director.

Laura introduced new programs and ideas to the college, including: a Valentine’s Day panel discussion on “love and marriage” for couples who had met at Olivet; “Alumni in Concert,” which was

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held on Alumni Day in May and featured eight musicians; and “Academic Alumni Day,” which featured four lecturers who spoke on various subjects.

Laura was quite active with her memberships in the Zeeland Parent Teachers Association; Zeeland Board of

Education, serving as the first woman member; Ottawa County Republican Women’s Club, in which she worked to encourage women to vote; Olivet College Women’s Board; Olivet College Art Symposium, serving as chair in 1978; Olivet College Alumni Association, serving as president; Hope Academy of Senior Professionals; and Books and Writers Seminar, serving as co-chair. In 1994, the Zeeland School District awarded Laura the Kenneth J. Harper Lifelong Learner Award for her contributions to education.

In the Holland-Zeeland area, she was well known for her love of reading and knowledge of Dutch history. As a librarian, Laura expanded the collection of books and encouraged the use of the library as a classroom. At the age of 90, Laura was still enjoying her book-a-week

club discussions. When I talked to her about her club, she assured me that she read more than one book a week.

During Olivet’s commencement in 1986, Laura received a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa. She had addressed the class of 1986 when they were freshmen.

In that address she quoted playwright Thornton Wilder, “The thoughts and ideas of great men are in the air around us all the time and they are working on us, even though we don’t know it.”

Four years later, she reminded the graduates of that quote, and went on to say, “Your professors here were the key to those thoughts and ideas that are in the air around us at Olivet College, and you must have listened and studied them so that you could be here today to receive your degree. I hope you take with you the landscape that is the beauty of this place, its quiet, and the beauty and the meaning of its old and sacred buildings.

It will be indelible in your memory. It will always be the landscape in your hearts.”

In 1997, Laura received the 1844 Award, given to her for demonstrating commitment and dedication to the advancement of Olivet College. When Laura and her family returned for Homecoming 2006, we were proud to honor her as our Homecoming Grand Marshal.

Rev. Mike Fales ’75, long-time friend of Laura’s and director of service learning and campus ministries, presented a touching and memorable eulogy at her funeral. She was buried Sept. 23 in the Zeeland Cemetery.

Just thinking about Laura’s contributions to Olivet College and the world itself, I know how much she is missed. Knowing the friends she made and the positive changes that were made possible by her, she will long be remembered by so many of us. Thank you, Laura, for being you, for loving Olivet and for making a difference.

Pro Christo et Humanitate.

BY LINDA JO SCOTT When Annette Anderson came to Olivet College in 1978, she knew early on that she wanted to be a librarian. “My heart was always at Burrage Library, where I worked with John and Marlene Kondelik and Marja Hendrick all four years,” she recalled fondly.

After she graduated in 1982, she went on to the University of Michigan for a master’s degree in library science. It was there that she met and married Frank Ma, a Chinese-American graduate math student, and from that point, her life became inextricably intertwined with Chinese culture.

“I’ve eaten Chinese food almost every day for the last 25 years,” she said.

“We celebrate Chinese New Year and the Moon Festival. My Vietnamese high school chum, Hong Nguyen, whom I see often, teases me, saying, ‘You are more Asian than I am.’”

Annette and Frank have lived in Los Angeles since 1984, and she has worked at various library-related jobs in the Upland Public Library, with California State University in Fullerton and with the Orange County Library System.

But the most fascinating parts of Annette’s life have been all of the Chinese elements. She and Frank and their two daughters, Natalie and Helen, have made two journeys to China, one in 2001 and one this summer. In 2001, they visited Beijing, Hangzhou, Sizhou and Shanghai with a tour group, and then took a train to Nanjing to visit Frank’s aunt and uncle.

Annette (Anderson) Ma ’82

Annette was especially impressed by the Chinese people’s desire to speak English. “One evening when coming back from dinner in Nanjing, we passed a park which was crowded with people who would gather there every week to practice their English,” she explained. “Then, on a tour of the mountains near Huang Shan, a Chinese gentleman asked me to accompany him around the market place to tell him the English names for the various items.

“At that time there were a few McDonald’s and KFC restaurants. Few people had cars, so they bicycled or walked just about everywhere and were in good shape,” she said.

In June, when the family went back to China, Annette and her daughters had been studying Chinese and they enjoyed

From left: Annette (Anderson) Ma ’82, daughter Natalie, husband Frank, and daughter Helen in China.

trying to use their new skills. Though it was only eight years after their first visit, Annette says she was amazed at how much more modern everything seemed to be. “We visited Shanghai again and were amazed to see that everyone dressed in the latest fashions. Also, a lot of construction was going on in preparation for the Shanghai World’s Fair in 2010.”

On that same trip, they flew into Lhasa, Tibet and spent five days exploring the surrounding area. The altitude of 14,000 feet above sea level was, as Annette put it, “tough on those of us who live at sea level.” They loved visiting the Potala Palace and other temples and were amazed by the mountains, terraced hills and rolling rivers. Annette declares that, “The train ride, either up or down, from Lhasa to Xi’an, is a must for all travelers to that region.”

On that same trip, they also got to see the terra-cotta warriors in Xi’an and went for a second visit to Beijing, where there was a new subway system and a huge downtown shopping area “complete with a row of food vendors selling delicious and sometimes bizarre treats,” she said. “We indulged ourselves in deep fried mini scorpions – salty but crunchy.

I drew the line, however, at deep fried grubs which retain their ‘soft center.’”

Annette’s life has certainly been enriched by living in California and by the Chinese elements, but she still loves to come back to Olivet to visit her beloved campus – especially Burrage Library.

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BY MIKE HUBBEL Excitement grows as we get closer to offering our first classes online for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Insurance. Goals have been identified, courses designed, accreditation achieved, online technology implemented, procedures established and faculty recruited, and the marketing continues.

The MBA will offer traditional courses in the administration of an organization in the context of an insurance company. So, for example, the traditional Corporate Accounting course will examine the unique features of corporate accounting for insurance companies.

In light of recent challenges, we feel there is room for improvement in the effective leadership and management of the business, and we are targeting young insurance professionals, two to 10 years in the business.

We will employ state-of-the-art online technology that will blend traditional asynchronous bulletin board postings and discussion threads with synchronous meetings, in which students

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and faculty can see and talk with each other live. We have selected Elluminate as our vendor, a leader in online instructional technology. In addition to live audio and video streaming, the virtual classrooms feature instant chats, whiteboards, slides, application sharing (such as documents, spreadsheets, etc.), Web tours, polls, and virtual group break-out rooms. This technology also includes extensive 24/7 tech support, and back office planning and publishing software.

The other exciting benefit of the online technology: we have been able to recruit top-notch, diverse faculty throughout the United States, including New York; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Dallas; and Detroit. A mix of practitioners and academics, each of them is an expert in their areas of instruction.

They have already begun working with us, going through the technology training, helping to make final decisions on textbooks, and finishing the development of the courses for online delivery.

We continue our marketing efforts, recognizing that we must take a very different approach to recruiting students.

We have made effective use of electronic mail and networks, in addition to the traditional press releases. Shortly, we will begin a regular program of advertising in the leading national trade publications that serve our target market. We hope to begin class offerings in January.

MBA in Insurance term dates First year Winter 2010: Jan. 11 to March 12 Spring 2010: March 22 to May 21 Summer 2010: June 7 to Aug. 6 Second year Fall 2010: Sept. 13 to Nov. 12 Winter 2011: Jan. 10 to March 11 Spring 2011: March 21 to May 20 Summer 2011: June 6 to Aug. 5 For complete information on the MBA program, visit http://www.olivetcollege.edu/ academics/mba.php.

Mike Hubbel

Diana Alva

Richard Bennett

Jeff Lamb ’92

Daniel Sobczynski

Eric Wiening

Mike Hubbel, CPCU, AU, ARM, AIM, ARP, ASLI, ARe Professor of insurance and risk management, and director of the Risk Management and Insurance Center Mike Hubbel has taught at Olivet College for more than 17 years. He started his career in insurance in 1971, and worked in the areas of research and product development, education and government relations for insurance companies. He also taught for the College of Business at Michigan State University and in the professional MBA program for the Fox School of Business for Temple University. He conducts RMI seminars for professionals throughout the U.S. and in other countries, and designs online RMI courses for corporations.

Richard L. Bennett, CPCU, ARM, AIC, ARe, AIM, AMIM, AU, AAI, API, ARC, RPLU Associate professor of insurance and risk management Richard L. Bennett is associate professor of risk management for St. John’s University’s School of Risk Management and Actuarial Science in the Peter J. Tobin College of Business, earning eight “Professor of the Year” awards from his students. He also teaches courses leading to the CPCU and ARM professional designations. Bennett has held management positions in underwriting and claims for insurers and serves as a consultant. He has designed and conducted many seminars in risk management for various organizations.

Daniel Sobczynski, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, ARM, AIC, AIS, API, ASLI Associate professor of insurance and risk management Daniel Sobczynski retired as director of corporate insurance for Ford Motor Company. His 25-year tenure included two years in Bermuda as president and managing director of Transcon Insurance Ltd. Prior to Ford, he was a national account manager for CNA and underwriter with Allstate. He serves as an online facilitator for Boston University’s Master of Science in Management, and adjunct instructor of RMI at Lawrence Technological University, where he was recognized three times as outstanding instructor by the AICPCU/IIA.

Diana Alva, CPCU, ARe Assistant professor of insurance and risk management Diana Alva is assistant vice president of finance for Professional Risk Management Services (PRMS) a medical malpractice third party administrator, and subsidiary of Transatlantic Re. She began with PRMS in 1999 as an underwriter and moved to the finance department as the claims/reinsurance analyst.

Previously, Alva was a risk management analyst for Security Capital Group, financial analyst for Archstone Communities Trust/Security Capital Atlantic Incorporated, and underwriter for Lifeguard.

Jeff Lamb ’92, CPCU Assistant professor of insurance and risk management Jeff Lamb is managing director of underwriting for the mid south region of the Markel Corporation. Lamb has been in the insurance industry for approximately 18 years with experience as a wholesale broker in St. Louis, underwriting manager in Dallas, excess umbrella underwriter in New York City, and intern for Lloyds of London, NAPSLO and the Michigan Insurance Bureau. Lamb is vice president of the executive committee of Gamma Iota Sigma Grand Chapter and is a member of the NAPSLO Internship Committee.

Eric A. Wiening, CPCU, ARM, AU, API, AAI Associate professor of insurance and risk management Eric A. Wiening is an educator, consultant and author whose insurance and risk management textbooks have been or are being translated into other languages. He retired as assistant vice president and ethics counsel after 26 years with the AICPCU/IIA. He served as an adjunct professor of insurance at The American College. He held marketing positions with Aetna Life & Casualty and was home office education and training supervisor for CNA Insurance. In addition, Wiening is an active member of the CPCU Society and its national ethics committee.

Facing page: Mike Hubbel demonstrates an online course for the new MBA.

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An Acciden

BY PAM RUTYNA

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Donald Walker, Ph.D.

When Don Walker, Ph.D., first began working at

Olivet College, he thought he’d stay three to five years. That was 45 years ago.

Walker, professor of history, grew up in Indiana and

disliked school to the point that he took summer classes in high school so he could graduate early and move on with his life. After graduating in three and a half years, Walker really didn’t know what to do, so he decided to attend college.

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While at the University of Indiana, Walker grew to love learning. He enjoyed it so much that he continued on to the University of South Dakota and University of Wyoming to earn his master’s degree and doctorate, respectively.

However, while pursuing his doctorate, Walker and his wife decided to return to the Midwest after his wife’s father died.

He took a teaching position with Olivet.

“I was teaching at the University of Wyoming and really enjoyed it,” he said.

“I thought I’d only be in Michigan for a few years, and then we’d head west again because we liked it so much out there.”

But Walker stayed and has never looked back.

When he began at Olivet in 1965, Walker was faced with a few challenges.

To begin with, Mather Hall, where the Mott Academic Center now stands, was slated to be demolished. Some classes were held in the basements of Blair and Dole halls and in the theatre in downtown Olivet, and the professors’ offices had been moved to a few homes located where the current library parking lot stands.

“I’ll never forget my first class was on a Saturday morning at 9 a.m. in the basement of Blair Hall,” recalled Walker.

“I thought to myself, ‘What have I gotten into?’”

A few years later though, the Mott Academic Center was built and the classrooms and offices were moved to one central location.

Walker eventually earned his doctorate from Michigan State University and became the History Department chair at Olivet in 1982. When it switched to the Social Sciences Department in the mid’90s, he became the chair shortly thereafter.

During his tenure, Walker, who

ntal Career announced his decision to retire earlier this year, has seen many changes at Olivet. Of course, there are the physical changes, with new buildings being erected across campus. But he has also seen a lot of changes within his department and the student body.

While there used to be 25 to 30 history majors graduating a year, now Walker sees eight to 10.

“We used to have a threeperson History Department at Olivet,” he said.

“Now we’re part of the Social Sciences Department and there is one full-time, one part-time, and two quartertime professors.

“Also, when I started, we had just reached the 600 mark for the student body,” he added. “Then there was a time in the 1970s, at the end of the Vietnam War, when enrollment went below 600 and we were really nervous that it wouldn’t rebound. But it did and now there are more than 1,100 students on campus with new majors. It’s been exciting and enjoyable to watch the school grow like this.”

Walker believes the student body is also being prepped differently for college than before. Of course, he said, they are more technologically advanced than students in the past; however, high schools seem to offer more alternative classes to the usual reading, writing and arithmetic.

“Also, when I teach the students nowadays, I can’t keep up with their pop culture,” he said. “So I try to keep that out of the classroom. Also, I have to watch my

terminology when I talk to them. They don’t know some terminology that I do, so I have to remember that.

“For example, I mentioned to someone once about the phrase, ‘Sour grapes,’” he continued. “I was amazed that they had never heard of that or where the term came from.

I also have to keep in mind that these students don’t know of the Vietnam War firsthand. Most of them were born when the first Gulf War began.”

Besides his day job, Walker, who has lived in Olivet since the 1960s, has served on the city council for 32 years. He has seen firsthand how the college and town work together. “Both the town and college are fortunate to have each other,” he said. “The students bring a cosmopolitan feel to the small town and the college opens its doors for everyone. There are concerts, plays and sporting events to attend, which a lot of townspeople take advantage of.”

Forty-five years later, Walker is content with how his life has turned out.

He may still miss the mountains of Wyoming, but his heart is at Olivet College. “I’ve been blessed to have a teaching career at this college,” he said.

“One of my former students made this statement, which sums up why teaching has been a rewarding career. He said, ‘never underestimate the impact you have on your students.’ ”

Faculty and Staff News and Notes Regina Armstrong, Social Sciences Department chair and assistant professor of criminal justice, and Phil Reed, director of the Criminal Justice Program and assistant professor of criminal justice, received the college’s first-ever Esther Schweikert Masters Entrepreneurial Endowment Award in September. Armstrong and Reed received the award for implementing the Correction Officer Training Academy and In-Service Training program on campus.

In June, Jean Paul Cortes ’09, Michigan Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA, served as translator for a medical team during a service trip with Mission Mazahua, an organization that serves the indigenous people of Central Mexico.

Cari Hankerd and Alex Watkins have been named admissions representatives at Olivet College, according to an announcement

by Larry Vallar, vice president for enrollment management. They are responsible for recruiting prospective students to Olivet.

Kirk Hendershott-Kraetzer, Ph.D., Humanities Department chair and associate professor of humanities, conducted a workshop in April on designing and offering public discussions on William Shakespeare. The workshop, which brought together scholars from the United States, Russia and Greece, was part of the annual meeting of the Shakespeare Association of America in Washington, D.C. Hendershott-Kraetzer also served as the Shakespeare consultant with the Michigan Shakespeare Festival throughout the summer, and gave public lectures on “As You Like It” and “The Tempest” as part of the festival’s performance schedule.

Joann Osborn ’09 has been named a customer service specialist at Olivet. She is responsible for providing customer service to students and visitors of the college, as well as assisting staff and faculty with general administrative duties.

Bruce Snyder, director of publications and Web services, was recently recognized

by Graphic Design USA for his creation of the college’s Capital Campaign kit. Snyder received a 2009 American Graphic Design Award for the project.

More than 8,000 entries were submitted for the 2009 American Graphic Design Awards.

Of these, a highly selective 15 percent were recognized with an award certificate of excellence.

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BY LINDA JO SCOTT

Feeling Right at Home Olivet College trustee Karen (Wlison) Van Hentenryck ’81

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Olivet College alumna and trustee Karen (Wilson) Van Hentenryck ’81 felt right at home when she first came to visit Olivet back in the spring of 1977.

Karen and her high school friend, Kim (Kirk) Byrens ’81, came to campus to audition for college choirs. The plan was for Kim to audition with “The Lord’s Prayer” and for Karen to accompany her. “I remember being extremely nervous and being relieved when Emily Byrens, Kim’s future mother-in-law, announced that she would accompany both of us,” Karen recalled.

And Emily Byrens’ willingness to help them was just the first step in the girls’ meeting friendly faculty members. As the two of them approached the Conservatory, for example, music professor Andy Zerban, who had previously taught at their high school, Walled Lake Western, threw open his office window to greet them and later invited various Walled Lake Western alumni to his home.

Next, Karen met Geoffrey Moore, of the English Department. Several weeks later she was amazed to receive a personal letter from him. “If there had ever been any doubt that I’d attend Olivet,” she said, “those doubts disappeared when that letter arrived.”

Though Karen had intended to major in science, she was soon drawn to literature classes and professors, and chose English for her major.

“One of the most memorable classes during my freshman year was Bill Thomson’s romantic poetry course,” she explained. “A wonderful teacher, Mr. Thomson felt that you don’t really know a poem until you’ve worked with it enough to recite it aloud. I can still recite the poem I selected for my final exam nearly 30 years ago!”

Karen was a serious student, and after graduation she earned a master’s degree in English from Western Michigan University.

She then began a career as a technical writer, first for a mortgage loan company and eventually in health care, doing systems testing and design as well as marketing, writing and some adjunct teaching.

In 1996, she began working for her present employer, Association Management Group, a for-profit company that manages non-profit organizations focused on the use of computers and information technology in health care. As associate executive director,

Hamilton King FROM OLIVET’S ARCHIVES

she is responsible for the daily operations of the headquarters office, which handles the accounting and billing, membership, meeting planning, project management, Web site presence, marketing, and balloting of all standards. She has traveled extensively, both in this country and abroad, for her company.

“If there had ever been any doubt that I’d attend Olivet,” she said, “those doubts disappeared when that letter arrived.”

Karen (Wilson) Van Hentenryck ’81 As though having a husband, son and two dogs plus a demanding full-time job were not enough, Karen has also begun writing a book, called “The Tie That Binds,” exploring the lives of people who attended her Baptist church in Walled Lake between the 1950s and 1980s.

As she put it, “Our world has become very uncertain in recent years, and I think it is comforting to look back to an earlier and perhaps simpler time and recall those events and friendships that brought enduring meaning and joy to our lives.

Some of the stories are fun, some are joyous, and some recount painful crises that were softened by a caring gesture or kind words offered at just the right time.

Some members of the church have chosen to contribute stories about the person they admired most in the congregation, and still others have talked about an answered prayer and how members of the congregation were unknowing participants in the answer.”

Though she lives north of Ann Arbor, Karen has been back to the Olivet campus innumerable times over the years for academic and social events and now, even more often, for board meetings.

She feels that it is truly a privilege to work with this distinguished group of individuals, “all of whom are devoted to advancing and promoting the college.”

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BY MOLLY (REED) GOALEY ’05

Hamilton King was the United States ambassador to Siam from 1898 to 1912.

He was also an 1878 graduate of Olivet College, and served as principal of the preparatory department and instructor of Greek.

Growing up in Maine, King worked as a carpenter, and at the age of 18 saved $40 to come to Olivet. To pay his way through school, he worked as a janitor at the college and became a tutor.

After graduation, he attended the Chicago Theological Seminary and earned his master’s degree.

Later, he earned a Doctor of Law degree.

Graduating with much distinction, Olivet offered King the position of principal of the preparatory department and instructor of Greek.

In 1883, the college’s Hamilton King trustees granted King a yearlong absence so that he may study abroad in Europe.

He continued his education at Leipzig, Germany and the American School at Athens in Greece.

Upon his return in 1884, King married Cora Lee Seward and the couple had three daughters. One of his children, Helen (King) Gethman ’07, was a Soronian and the first alumni director at Olivet.

According to his memorial book, King’s “diligence and special ability as a student often won cordial commendation and later his gifts stood him in excellent stead in the roles of lecturer, preacher and political speaker. His scholarly attributes were distinguished and he took an active interest in the work of his alma mater up to the time of his coming to Siam.”

King soon took a prominent role in politics, and in 1896 was chosen as delegate of the Republican National Convention. During his campaign, he was noted for his speaking abilities and respected for his stance on the current political issues.

Soon after the close of his campaign in 1898, King was chosen to represent the nation abroad as minister resident and consul-general to Siam. His genial personality made him “a great favorite to Bangkok.” Five years later, he was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary for the United States.

During his tenure, King was the special representative of President William Taft at the cremation of Siam’s late ruler, Chulalongkorn, who was made famous in western culture as a central character in the book, “Anna and the King of Siam,” by Margaret Landon.

King also attended the coronation of Chulalongkorn’s successor, Vajiravudh.

King died at his post in 1912 and was interred at Protestant Cemetery Bangkok.

The cemetery, which contains the remains of many influential politicians and Thai government officials, is maintained entirely through donations. For this reason, many of the tombs, including King’s, have fallen into disrepair.

Olivet College is seeking funds to help restore and maintain King’s tomb.

If you are interested in contributing to this project or would like more information, contact Marty (Mason) Jennings ’67, director of alumni relations, at (269) 7497644 or mjennings@olivetcollege.edu.

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INFORMATION ORGANIZED BY KAREN CHANEY, PH.D., AND MOLLY (REED) GOALEY ’05

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Since its founding, Oliet College has placed a high priority on its affiliation with the Congregational Christian churches.

Established by Congregationalists, the college continues to work closely with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) and the United Church of Christ (UCC).

The two denominations continue to share Karen Chaney, Ph.D. the founding values of Olivet College, which include: openness to all; concerns for the importance of higher education; and commitment to providing education, especially to those not rich in this world’s means. The UCC and NACCC work together to continue to support Olivet College with financial contributions, prayer, mission opportunities and resources.

Congregationalists have always been ardent supporters of education, establishing many institutions of higher education for both men and women. They were also primary in establishing free education as a right for all children. Olivet values its Congregational ties to the UCC and NACCC and continues to draw deeply upon the tradition of educational excellence that is part of its Congregational heritage.

Current Church Relationships Olivet’s relationships with both denominations are currently fostered by the church relations committee of the college’s board of trustees. Representatives

Olivet also hosts an Alternative from both the NACCC and UCC are Spring Break program in which students members of the committee, which oversees are nominated to volunteer at Heifer the provision of general information International, a hands-on learning center about the college to churches in both that promotes sustainable solutions to denominations, and provides guidance in global hunger, poverty and environmental denominational matters. In addition, the degradation, in Perryville, Ark. The committee assists the college in church Covenant Association of the Michigan outreach and service.

Conference of the UCC contributed Outreach to Churches $2,500 toward the cost of the 2008-09 trip, Olivet staff and students make and has generously provided $3,000 to regular visits to Michigan churches as part support an upcoming trip this spring. of the school’s outreach efforts. In addition, Going Forward: New Religious Studies an adult educational program on global and Ethics Program and Center for Christianity was recently held at the Congregational Leadership First Congregational UCC in Benzonia, A religious studies and ethics minor provided by Karen Chaney, Ph.D., was recently created to reflect an increased professor of religious studies and ethics. student interest in religious studies, as well Other faculty and staff are available to as the importance of ethics in Olivet’s vision. speak at church services and events as well, Another exciting new and musical performances addition to campus is the

by Olivet choral groups Center for Congregational are often requested.

Leadership, an NACCC Student Service Trips ministry committed to and Mission Efforts training leaders who are Olivet students are uniquely knowledgeable in encouraged to participate Congregationalism, respectful in monthly service trips and upholding of the offered by the college diversity represented in throughout the year. In congregations, and who are November, 18 students especially equipped to meet spent a weekend painting the challenges of the church the interior of the River in the 21st century.

House Domestic Abuse Rev. Dr. Betsey Mauro The Rev. Dr. Betsey Shelter in Grayling. The Mauro is dean of the newly established service project gained national attention center. Mauro assists the NACCC through when the information was published on it Congregational Foundation for Campus Compact’s Web site. Olivet also Theological Studies in training seminarians hosts annual service trips to support for pastorates in Congregational churches Hurricane Katrina victims. These trips are and in administering the Lay Ministry often funded by local churches and regional Training Program. Additionally, she is associations. Those funds then support developing training and educational organizations like the UCC Office of opportunities for churches and lay leaders to Volunteer Ministries and Back Bay help strengthen their Congregational Mission, a community ministry of the UCC. Christian witness in America’s rapidly The NACCC contributed a $5,000 grant changing culture. to sponsor last year’s trip. In December 2009, Olivet will host its sixth trip to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

If you are interested in supporting church relations at Olivet College or participating in any of the projects or programs mentioned above, contact Chaney at (269) 749-7726 or kchaney@olivetcollege.edu, or Mike Fales ’75, director of service learning and campus ministries, at (269) 749-7624 or mfales@olivetcollege.edu. For more information on the Center for Congregational Leadership, contact Mauro at (269) 749-7228 or emauro@olivetcollege.edu.

A Rich Family History

BY AMBER LECLEAR, SOPHOMORE

Leah Shipherd is no ordinary student here at Olivet College – through many generations, she has ended up at the place her ancestor is laid to rest. Not only was he laid to rest here, but he also founded the college on Feb. 24, 1844. “Father” John J. Shipherd is Leah’s great-great-great grandfather. Exactly 140 years later, on Feb. 24, 1984, Leah was born.

All her life, she has known about Olivet College, and her rich family history.

Leah Shipherd

“We actually have a picture of Shipherd Hall in our hallway at home,” Leah said when asked about her first introduction to Olivet. “I have known about the college for some time, especially since we have that picture in our house.”

History aside, Leah is just a normal college student who enjoys spending time with friends. She is now a senior honor student majoring in psychology and is a founding member of the Psychology Club.

In addition, she recently attended her first service trip with the college, repairing an elderly woman’s roof and organizing clothing for the Morgan Scott Project in Deerlodge, Tenn. Like her ancestors, Leah

has a passion for service and hopes to attend more trips with the college in the future.

When asked about her plans after graduation, Leah said, “I’m not really certain where I am going to go or what I am going to do, but I do think Michigan has grown on me.” Leah is from California, and when students hear this they often ask, “Why would you come here from California, are you crazy?” But on the contrary, she loves the Michigan weather. “I often get laughed at because I get so excited for the snow,” she said.

Leah’s hometown, Pleasant Hill, Calif., is considerably larger than Olivet.

“Back home the population is close to 33,000 people, and it is very close to San Francisco,” she said, adding that she likes the change of pace and small town atmosphere of Olivet.

“I am not certain that I am the first Shipherd to attend Olivet College; everyone in my family knows about it, but no one really considers it because it is so far away. My cousins have visited though and really liked the small town atmosphere, as well.”

Because of the distance, though, Olivet was not Leah’s first choice for college. “I went to community college first, which definitely helped save money,” she said. “After that, there were only two schools I was interested in – Olivet and Eastern Oregon University. I chose EOU because of finances, and because it was closer to home. The school wasn’t a good fit, and I left after just one year. I spent two years at home working and then I finally decided I should go back to school and complete my degree. As I had almost gone to Olivet before, I figured it was the perfect time to give it a try. It is a much better fit, and though I may have taken a bit of a detour, I finally ended up here.”

Student News and Notes Samuel Jaffee, a senior psychology major from Bowling Green, Ohio, recently conducted an undergraduate research study at Bowling Green State University. The study focused on visual cognition and individual differences in spatial ability, and their relationship to HumanComputer Interaction.

Lukas Linn, a senior from Harbor Beach, participated in a highly selective internship with the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) this summer. During his internship, Linn, a criminal justice major, worked with ATF special agents to investigate arsons, drug deals, gangs and explosives in downtown Detroit.

Karlie McManaman, a senior from Webberville and double major in chemistry and biology, participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program funded by the National Science Foundation at Hope College this summer. Her work involved researching the connections between environmental toxins and changes in dopamine levels in females in part of the hypothalamus where dopamine functions are not well known. Through her research, McManaman determined that altered dopamine levels within the hypothalamus cause a significant increase in body weight caused by changes in feeding habits.

Her manuscript describing this research was submitted to the Journal of Neuroscience for publication consideration and she participated in a formal poster session at Van Andel Arena in October.

Bradley Voss, a senior from Lansing and double major in chemistry and biology, also participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program during the summer.

His work involved the manipulation of histidine tags on yeast Lumazine Synthase and its effect on capsid formation. Lumazine Synthase is a protein that exists in two forms, pentamer and capsid, and is produced in many organisms to assist in the synthesis of riboflavin, a B vitamin.

Amber LeClear, a sophomore from Bellevue, attended the “Politics, the Press and the Economy” conference, sponsored by the Institute of Political Journalism, in Washington, D.C. Joanne Williams, assistant professor of journalism/mass communication, also attended the conference. During their trip, LeClear and Williams met Camille Lavey ’76, an associate producer at the Newseum in Washington. Lavey provided a tour of the facility, which is an interactive museum of news and journalism.

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BY SHANNON TIERNAN

Through the years, many alumni have wondered where their money actually goes when they make a gift to Olivet College. When pledging to support the M. Gorton Riethmiller Art Building, what does the gift purchase? Why does Olivet call, e-mail and solicit alumni throughout the year for the Annual Fund – doesn’t tuition cover its annual expenses? Aren’t I too young to establish a planned gift?

Sometimes making a donation can seem about as clear as the Kedron River on a rainy day.

But the Olivet College Office of Institutional Advancement has made it a priority this fiscal year to simplify its various giving opportunities. Capital giving and the Olivet College Annual Fund are specifically highlighted in this issue.

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Capital giving – Building for the future Capital projects include any construction and renovation initiatives on campus – capital gifts, in turn, cover the cost of these projects. When making a capital gift to a building initiative, for example, the donation is restricted to that particular initiative. The college cannot use a restricted gift for any other purpose than what the alum requested. Whether the donor is interested in supporting the renovation of a classroom or the construction of a building, there are countless opportunities for support.

In a little over a year Olivet College has built two buildings, broke ground on a third and overhauled much of the Mott Academic Center, including the Mott Auditorium and numerous classrooms.

This may make Olivet appear cash heavy, but the fact is all the financing used to

construct or renovate these facilities was secured in advance from alumni, foundations and friends of the college.

“Campus growth is a double-edged sword,” said President Donald L. Tuski ’85, Ph.D. “On one hand, we need to continue to improve our facilities to keep pace with the changing world and the students we recruit.

On the other hand, we need to work to ensure our donors understand that we are fiscally responsible in our growth.

“The last thing I want is people thinking we’ve put ourselves in debt for the sake of a new building,” he added.

That is why today the college places such a strong emphasis on raising the financial resources necessary before ground is broken or renovations begin.

Annual Fund – A gift for today Like many other Olivet College alumni, Marty (Mason) Jennings ’67,

director of alumni relations, was under the impression that tuition covers the college’s operational costs. “Before I came to Olivet, I really didn’t understand the Annual Fund’s purpose,” she stated.

“Now I know that my annual gift helps keep us competitive with other MIAA colleges. Tuition alone cannot do this.”

revenue. If we increased the amount of resources secured through the Annual Fund – relying less on tuition – the college would be better prepared to maintain a stable budget if enrollment were to decrease.

“Olivet is one of the most fiscally responsible colleges I am aware of,” said

else without losing essential programs and services.”

With this in mind, every project the college undertakes and every expense made is scrutinized in advanced. Only those things deemed crucial are approved.

Even if Olivet’s alumni giving rose to record levels, this would not change.

Gifts to the Olivet College Annual Fund are used by the college to cover the operational costs of maintaining the institution which are not covered by student tuition. These costs might include building staircases, repairing sidewalks, purchasing beakers for use in a science lab or new beds for the residence halls, and funding student scholarships. Gifts to the Annual Fund are unrestricted, meaning alumni make a donation knowing it will be used by the college wherever it is needed most.

Though tuition only covers about 62 percent of a student’s education at Olivet, the college is still considered a tuitiondriven institution. This means the college’s budget is controlled by any fluctuations in enrollment. With 16 percent of Olivet’s alumni giving to the Annual Fund, it only accounts for 5 percent of the college’s

President Tuski. “Over the last seven years, budgets have been reduced and our employee base has been streamlined to the point that we cannot cut anything

Improved Annual Fund giving would simply allow the college to pursue more “essential programs and services” within the fiscal year.

Construction began on the new M. Gorton Riethmiller Art Building in October with an anticipated opening in August 2010.

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Development

NEWS

Capital Campaign to Close at More Than $16 Million

BY TODD HIBBS Another holiday season is approaching at Olivet College. Students are returning home for time with family. Faculty and staff are recharging, as the college is closing its doors for the annual holiday shutdown. Yes, there will be many celebrations in the coming weeks, as we indulge in some egg nog, a few holiday cookies and ring in the year 2010.

Still, there will be at least one more celebration Todd Hibbs after the new year.

And this is a celebration for everyone who reads Shipherd’s Record.

On Feb. 1, 2010, Olivet College will officially close its current Capital Campaign as one of the greatest fundraising efforts in the school’s 165-year history.

If this were a track meet at Kolassa Track, the Comets would be running the ‘gun lap’ of the longest distance race of the day. It has been a journey of epic proportions that has seen Olivet College construct The Cutler Event Center, Gillette Student Village and most recently, the M. Gorton Riethmiller Art Building.

All of this and more came from a single fundraising campaign. There was the renovation of Mott Auditorium and several other classrooms, not to mention the new Mott patio and Shipherd Hall staircases. Indeed, the list goes on and on.

When this Capital Campaign began, it was suggested by consultants in a feasibility study that Olivet College might be able to raise close to $10 million.

However, after assessing needs on campus, the college decided to be a little bolder and set a goal of $16.5 million.

So, how have we done?

Recently the college mailed its last 400 campaign kits focused on fundraising for this particular campaign. At the time of that mailing, Olivet was at the $16.3

million mark. We are confident that the support of alumni and friends in these last few months will allow us to surpass our goal of $16.5 million by Feb. 1. If you haven’t personally given to this initiative yet, it’s not too late. Please mail your contribution by Feb. 1 and join the hundreds of others who have made this celebration at Olivet College possible.

So, what will be next? In its next campaign what critical needs will Olivet College address? Research is already well under way as to where we should direct our efforts in the next campaign. After closing out the current Capital Campaign as perhaps the greatest success ever in Olivet College fundraising, be assured that we will build on our momentum and continue along with you to advance Olivet College.

Olivet’s Phone-a-thon Campaign Gets Fresh Approach

Freshman Taylor MacDonald is among several students working on the Phone-a-thon campaign.

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A phone-a-thon campaign is to a college’s Annual Fund what a pencil is to paper – one relies on the other to truly make a mark.

The phone-a-thon serves as the Annual Fund’s driving force – supplementing the college’s giving initiatives with a good old fashioned person-to-person phone call. Olivet College recently overhauled its phone-athon by bringing the process in-house and making calls all year as opposed to only two weeks twice a year. Also, all calls are now handled through the Office of Institutional Advancement as opposed to an outside vendor.

“Bringing this process in-house, though complex to initiate, will save the college literally thousands of dollars,” said Todd Hibbs, director of institutional advancement. “This means 100 percent

of the money you pledge will be used to advance the college, not pay an outside company.”

Phone-a-thon offers a great opportunity for alumni and friends to not only support the college but to ask any questions they may have about campus. Though students will still be calling alumni and friends to ask for their support, they will also be calling about upcoming events, to thank them for their generosity and about exciting happenings on campus. In short, it’s a fundraising as well as a “friend-raising” endeavor.

For more information about the college’s new phone-a-thon initiative or to make an Annual Fund gift, please contact Pam Frayer, development information specialist, at (269) 749-7625 or pfrayer@olivetcollege.edu.

A Charitable Gift Annuity will rarely outperform a well-diversified portfolio, but in these economic times for those already in retirement, this might be a good fit. With uncertainty all around us, this type of gift may meet several of the personal goals for you and your spouse.

You can help Olivet College, as well as meet some specific financial goals.

A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY OFFERS: The ability to support Olivet College while receiving a guaranteed stream of income.

An immediate income tax deduction plus capital gains tax savings.

An annuity rate that may be higher than what your current investments offer.

The assurance that the second beneficiary (usually a spouse) can can count on the CGA for financial stability.

THE OLDER YOU ARE, THE HIGHER YOUR ANNUITY RATE Age 65 70 75 80 85 90

Annuity Rate 5.3% 5.7% 6.3% 7.1% 8.1% 9.5

Gift Amount $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000

Annual Payment $530 $570 $630 $710 $810 $950

Income Tax-Free $345 $394 $459 $546 $672 $836

Charitable Income Tax $3,270 $3,886 $4,481 $5,081 $5,698 $6,238

For more information, contact Ed Heator ’80, development officer, at (269) 749-6691 or eheator@olivetcollege.edu.

Above: Jare Klein, Todd Hibbs and Brandon Brissette

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Olivet’s Wrestling Tradition Forges Ahead

L

Looking back in school history, wrestling is arguably the most successful athletic program to come out of Olivet College. Since the start of the program in 1964, only seven men have served as head coach at Olivet. Two of those men helped write memorable chapters of the wrestling record book, and a third man is getting a chance to write his own chapter beginning this season.

Brandon Brissette is now in charge of leading the Comets. He came to Olivet after serving as assistant wrestling coach at Heidelberg (Ohio) University for the last four years. During his time at Heidelberg, the Student Princes won four straight Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championships. He helped coach five All-Americans, 17 national qualifiers and seven Scholar AllAmericans. On the collegiate wrestling mat, he was a four-year letterwinner at Wartburg (Iowa) College.

But the program Brissette inherited has not always been a successful one.

In 1968, Jare Klein took over a fouryear-old wrestling program at Olivet. The first year was a struggle for the Comets, as he inherited a team of five wrestlers who did not win a single match.

Klein did not let that first season set him back. From 1972 to 1978, the Comets had winning streaks of 47 and 54. Those two winning streaks would have been a stretch of 112 straight victories if not for a 26-21 loss to University of Kentucky in 1974.

Also during that time, Olivet won nine straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championships from 1972 to 1980. In 1984, the Comets captured the conference championship. After the 1984 season, the MIAA discontinued wrestling. Klein continued to coach the Comets as an independent team until the 2000 season,

BY GEOFF HENSON when they competed at the Heartland Conference championships. Olivet was the runner-up that year and won the Heartland title the next season.

In 2001, Klein decided to retire from coaching with a 569-116-3 record, his only losing season being the first. At the time of his retirement, his 569 wins were secondmost in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. Overall, Klein coached 15 All-Americans and 46 Scholar All-Americans.

Three seasons and two head coaches later, Todd Hibbs became the sixth coach to lead the Comet wrestling program in the summer of 2004. Hibbs was hired to be the head coach for one season after the board of trustees voted to eliminate wrestling in June 2004. Six months later, the board reversed its decision.

After five seasons at the helm of the Comets, Hibbs announced his decision to step down as wrestling coach in March after posting a 56-24-2 dual match record.

Under his tenure, Olivet placed eighth twice in three trips to the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals. Hibbs also led the Comets to three

Mid-States Conference Championships and was named the 2009 Mid-States Conference Coach of the Year.

In addition, Hibbs helped the Comets finish in the top three at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional all five years, including a first-place finish in 2006.

For his efforts, he was named the Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 2006.

The Comets did equally well in the classroom, as Olivet was top 10 nationally four years under Hibbs’ tenure. With the team grade point average ranging from 3.17 to 3.49, the Comets were the national runners-up in 2008 (3.49) and earned a school record, tying five Scholar AllAmericans in 2009. Overall, Hibbs coached 11 national qualifiers, four All-Americans, three national finalists and 15 Scholar All-Americans.

Someone coined the phrase, “the outstanding wrestling tradition at Olivet was started by Klein, kept alive by Hibbs and is now in the hands of Brissette.” Time will tell if Brissette is able to write a similar chapter in the record book, and complete a historical triad of champion wrestling coaches at Olivet College.

2009-10 WRESTLING SCHEDULE DEC.

5 12 JAN. 2-3 9 12 15-16 19 23 29-30 FEB. 6 TBA 20 MAR. 3-6

@ Ohio Northern Open @ North Central (Ill.) Invitational @ Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind. @ Muskegon Quad MANCHESTER (Ind.) Budd Whitehill Duals @ Lycoming (Pa.) @ Trine (Ind.) @ Eastern Michigan Quad Pete Willson Invitational @ Wheaton (Ill.) Mid-States Conference Tournament @ Wabash GRAND VALLEY NCAA Regional @ Delaware Valley (Pa.) NCAA Division III National Championships

9 a.m.

9 a.m.

2 p.m./9 a.m.

9 a.m.

7 P.M. Noon/9 a.m.

7 p.m.

11 a.m.

2 p.m./9 a.m.

9 a.m.

TBA 9 a.m.

9 a.m.

SPRING

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Comet NEWS & NOTES Last spring, three graduating seniors were named to the ESPN The Magazine/ College Sports Information Directors of America® teams. Softball player Anna Braner, of Belmond, Iowa, and wrestler Kyle Vanderhyde, of Sparta, earned firstteam honors. Lindsay Pipkin, of White Lake, earned second-team honors.

Heather Bateman was promoted to athletic director. She continues to serve as head women’s basketball coach. Dominic Livedoti stepped down as head football coach.

Karen Miller joined the athletic staff this fall as an assistant athletic trainer.

The men’s soccer team was rewarded for the best season in Ethan Felsing school history, as four players were named to the 2009 AllMIAA teams. Junior Ethan Felsing, of Mason, freshman Matt Garza, of Saline, and junior Mike May, of Mason, earned first-team honors, while junior Matt

Manning, of Charlotte, is a second-team selection. The three first-team selections are the most in school history for one season.

Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Chad Wiseman, the Comets finished with a 7-4-3 MIAA record. The 24 points tie the single-season school record for points in league play.

Olivet posted an 11-6-3 overall record, and the .625 winning percentage is the best in school history.

Felsing was first in saves percentage (.900), tied for first in shutouts (8) and shutouts per game (0.57), and was second in goals against average (0.60) and saves (72). Garza started 13-of-14 games in the midfield for the Comets, recording three assists. May was the starting forward in 13 games. He led the Comets and was first in the league with five assists. May also had two goals for nine total points.

Manning started all 14 games for Olivet, scoring a team-leading three goals.

The women’s golf team finished in second-place in the 2009 MIAA standings, as four golfers earned AllMIAA honors. Senior Megan Rimmel, of Ithaca, and junior Amber Conrad, of

Five Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame From left: Al Knickerbocker ’58, Isobel Saussele ’51, Orlando Burton ’57 and Jeff Kucharczyk ’94 were inducted into the Olivet College Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday, Sept. 19. Coach Pat Vannorsdall was posthumously inducted. All five were recognized during halftime of the Comets’ football game versus Concordia University Chicago and formally inducted at a dinner following the game. Cathie Rickert ’70 and Doris Wilson ’70 presented Vannorsdall for induction.

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Battle Creek, were first-team selections for the third consecutive year. Rimmel and Conrad placed second and third, respectively, in the league’s individual standings with 80.4 and 81.6 stroke averages. Sophomore Lauren Campbell, of Fenton, was a second-team selection for the second straight year, while junior Abby Wheeler, of Grayling, was a second-team selection for the first time in her career.

To start its spring 2010 schedule, Olivet is ranked No. 9 in the golfstat.com NCAA Head-to-Head rankings. Rimmel is the No. 9 golfer in the golfstat.com player rankings.

The men’s golf team placed sixth in the 2009 MIAA standings. The Comets were led by junior Cameron LaFountain, of Marshall, who earned second-team All-Conference honors.

Junior Cara Underwood, of Holland, earned first-team All-MIAA honors in women’s soccer.

Junior Cam Bramer, of Olivet, broke a school record and tied an MIAA record with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Trine (Ind.) University. The previous school record was 95 yards by DeShaun Warren in 2006. There have been three other 100yard kickoff returns in MIAA history with the last one recorded in 1985.

Senior punter Ryan Patten, of Charlotte, was named first-team All-MIAA for the third Ryan Patten consecutive year.

He led the MIAA with a 38.7 punting average.

Junior Chris Behnke, of Olivet, and sophomore Mike Martin, of Caledonia, earned second-team All-MIAA honors.

Behnke ranked among the league leaders with 54 total tackles, while Martin was third in the MIAA with 956 all-purpose yards.

For all sports, All-MIAA honors are based on the athlete’s performance during league play.

2009-10 MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE NOV.

15 17 23 DEC. 4-5 4 5 10 12 19 22 29-30 29 30 JAN. 6 9 13 16 20 23 27 30 FEB. 3 6 10 13 17 20

JOHN CARROLL (Ohio) 1 P.M. AQUINAS 7 P.M. @ Saginaw Valley 7 p.m.

MIAA-WHAC Classic at Madonna vs. Madonna 8 p.m. vs. Michigan-Dearborn noon @ Davenport 7 p.m.

SPRING ARBOR 3 P.M. FINLANDIA 1 P.M. @ Grand Valley 7 p.m. @ Wittenberg (Ohio) Tournament vs. Wittenberg 7 p.m.

Consolation/Championship game2:15 or 7 p.m.

ALBION * 7:30 P.M. @ Calvin * 3 p.m. @ Hope * 7:30 p.m.

TRINE (Ind.) * 3 P.M. @ Adrian * 7:30 p.m.

ALMA * 3 P.M. @ Kalamazoo * 7:30 p.m. @ Albion * 3 p.m.

CALVIN * 7:30 P.M. HOPE * 7:30 P.M. @ Trine (Ind.) * 7:30 p.m.

ADRIAN * 3 P.M. @ Alma * 7:30 p.m.

KALAMAZOO * 3 P.M.

2009-10 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE NOV.

15 17 20-21 20 21 24 27-28 27 28 DEC. 9 12 19 29-30 29 30 JAN. 6 9 13 16 19 23 27 30 FEB. 3 6 10 13 17

CHICAGO (Ill.) 3 P.M. @ Defiance (Ohio) 7:30 p.m. @ North Central (Ill.) Tournament vs. Simpson (Iowa) noon Consolation/Championship game noon/5 p.m. @ Cornerstone 7 p.m.

OLIVET THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT SIENA HEIGHTS 7:30 P.M. ELMHURST (ILL.) 4 P.M. @ Kalamazoo * 7:30 p.m. @ Hope * 7 p.m.

CALVIN * 3 P.M. @ Ohio Wesleyan Bishop Classic/Hoops for Hope Olivet vs. Ohio Wesleyan 6 p.m.

Consolation/Championship game 1 or 3 p.m. @ Albion * 7:30 p.m. @ Adrian * 3 p.m.

ALMA * 7:30 P.M. SAINT MARY’S (Ind.) * 1 P.M. TRINE (Ind.) * 7:30 P.M. @ Calvin * 3 p.m.

KALAMAZOO * 7:30 P.M. HOPE * 3 P.M. @ Trine (Ind.) * 7:30 p.m.

ALBION * 3 P.M. ADRIAN * 7:30 P.M. @ Alma * 3 p.m. @ Saint Mary’s (Ind.) * 7:30 p.m.

Coach Morrison to Retire Head Men’s Golf Coach Gary Morrison has announced his decision to retire July 1, 2010. Kevin Allard will take over coaching duties. During his 35-year tenure as golf coach, the Comets won 17 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championships and competed at eight NCAA championships. He leaves his mark as the winningest golf coach in MIAA history. Morrison was also Olivet’s head basketball coach for 30 years and head baseball coach for 15 years. He is one of 10 coaches in the MIAA with more than 20 league titles.

“Working at Olivet has been a great Gary Morrison experience,” said Morrison. “Over the years, I had several opportunities to leave but chose to stay. I truly enjoyed the chance to coach real student-athletes in a Division III setting. I am going to miss coaching, but it’s time to retire.”

“The Morrison era has been a great one,” said Olivet President Donald L. Tuski ’85, Ph.D. “Many people will miss his daily presence and championship teams. Like many alumni, I was introduced to Olivet by Coach Morrison and want to thank him for recruiting me.”

The oldest athletic program in Olivet College history is football, as the Comets took to the field for the first time in 1884. Twenty-five years later, in 1909, Olivet won its fifth Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship with a perfect 4-0 record and outscored its opponents, 117-6.

Three of the wins were by shutout.

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BY DON ODERKIRK ’64

During my time at Olivet College, I was impressed with the faculty who were very approachable, lived nearby and shared much of themselves. Three of my professors, Fred Gruen, Ed Speare and Nolan Kindell, had served in the military during World War II and had classrooms and offices in Mather Hall. Additionally, my history professor, Dean Morris Boucher, had served as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. They did not openly talk about the war, however I knew they had served and I believed they were better men for the experience of military service. Tom Brokaw’s description of these men as “The Greatest Generation” is very accurate and appropriate.

Professor Kindell, my physics Ens. Oderkirk in 1966 professor, was a career naval officer (rear admiral) who had commanded a large combatant in the Pacific Theater and there were rumors that he taught at Olivet for $1 per year.

On the surface he had a stern demeanor and his class had one of the lowest student/teacher ratios. During a chapter on atomic power, he showed a movie on nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific, where several older U.S. Navy ships were anchored near ground zero. At the conclusion of the movie and class, the other eight or 10 students left, but I lingered after, noticing Kindell wiping his eyes. We talked for a while in his small office, which looked out on the College Square, and I learned that one of the ships destroyed was a ship he had commanded during the war. He spoke fondly of his service in the U.S. Navy and

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Thirty-four years later in September suggested that I might join the Navy 2002, I returned to Vietnam for a threeafter graduation. Kindell did not return week work visit with five other veterans the next year, as he emulated General and two of their spouses. We were part of Douglas MacArthur’s famous words to a non-governmental organization called the U.S. Congress – “Old soldiers never Veterans Vietnam Restoration Project die, they just fade away!”

(VVRP). The organization has sent 20 Upon my graduation, Vietnam teams to Vietnam to help build houses, became a national issue. I received my clinics and schools for the Vietnamese draft notice, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and people. Five days were spent in the Hanoi was accepted at Naval O.C.S. in Newport, area sightseeing, which included a day on R.I. I requested a small ship in Southeast beautiful Ha Long Bay. We then spent 10 Asia, and upon commissioning as Ensign days in Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province, Oderkirk, got what I had requested. where much of the heaviest fighting took The night before my small ship place. We spent a few hours working on arrived in Danang, Republic of South houses funded by VVRP and were then Vietnam, in April 1966, I stood the treated to a “feast” from the recipients of midwatch on the bridge of the U.S.S. St. the new house. We also visited and Francis River. As we approached the donated money for a new kitchen and coast, the western horizon erupted in computer lab to a Social Care Center massive explosions, reminding me of news housing 20 orphans and 20 homeless films of heavy nighttime bombings during elderly. Several interpreters were always World War II. Radio central informed me with us, and many of the recipients’ that B-52 bombers were conducting “Operation Rolling Thunder” on the hills just west of Danang. I began to wonder – what had I gotten myself into?

Upon being relieved as “officer of the deck” at 4 a.m., I went to my bunk and slept fitfully until 6 a.m., when we entered Danang Harbor at daylight. I was bewildered to see a peaceful scene of lush green mountains, a beautiful harbor and small sampans being paddled Don Oderkirk ’64 returned to Vietnam in 2002 to help build by women wearing conical houses, clinics and schools for Vietnamese people. hats, trying to sell us fresh produce. I thought I had children and grandchildren spoke some been having a bad dream several hours English. earlier; but was soon to learn that these Sept. 25 found me back in Danang, extreme contrasts would become typical after 18 days of work and travel in Hanoi. during my next two years serving in the I saw no hand-powered sampans, but Brown Water Navy along the coasts and many larger sampans with noisy onerivers in South Vietnam.

BY MOLLY (REED) GOALEY ’05

cylinder engines plying the harbor.

The city of Danang was largely undamaged during the war – the streets are clean and very busy. The majority of the tourists appeared to be European with French being the most common language overheard. The Vietnamese refer to the French Indo China War of 1950-1954 as the “French War” and our 1965-1973 participation as the “American War.” In pondering what all this means, I feel I have satisfied my curiosity in seeing a controversial part of the world on two different occasions, and I do not need to rely on someone else’s views or opinions. The Vietnamese have largely put three wars behind them in the last 60 years, even though they suffered huge losses. The United States became involved in what I consider to have been a civil war and even in this country some hard feelings remain 140 years after our own civil war. Time does heal all wounds, and what major scars may remain are largely of our own making. We must not forget the sacrifices made by our 58,000 countrymen listed on the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. They paid the ultimate price.

I remain proud of my military service, and I remind the reader that “service” is the key word. I found it very rewarding to talk with and embrace former North Vietnamese Army soldiers with a mutual respect that only former combatants can understand. I must also point out that South Vietnam collapsed in April 1975 due to a huge invasion from North Vietnam two years after the U.S. military was withdrawn in accordance with the Paris Peace Accord.

I have great hope and enthusiasm for the Vietnamese people, who are very hard working. I can envision our two countries becoming allies in the future.

Robert C. Ode was one of 52 Americans taken hostage by Iranian students at the United States Embassy in Tehran in 1979. The group was held for 444 days, and after lengthy negotiations, was finally released in 1981.

Rita and Robert Ode

At the age of 65, Ode was the oldest of his fellow captives and was a retired Foreign Service officer. He had arrived at the embassy only a month prior to begin a 45-day temporary assignment.

While in captivity, Ode was allowed to keep a diary, which is available to the public at www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/ documents/r_ode/. In it, he describes the conditions the hostages faced under their amateur jailers. The captives were separated into small groups but were not allowed to communicate with each other.

They were cut off from outside news and

contact with the American government, while letters to and from their family members were delivered late or not at all. They were blindfolded before being taken out of their rooms to exercise or shower, and essentials such as food and medical supplies were often inadequate.

On top of the poor conditions was the psychological pressure of never knowing when they would be released or what the American government was doing to help them.

But Ode, who used his age and cantankerous nature to his advantage, raised morale among the hostages. He instinctively exploited the Iranian respect for age and often scolded his young captors when he felt inconvenienced.

He was also a source of comfort and aid for his younger colleagues.

A native of Plano, Ill., Ode grew up in Manistee. He attended Olivet College for a few months in the late 1930s, but was forced to drop out during the Great Depression.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and joined the Foreign Service in 1947, working his way up from clerical positions to officer. After his mandatory retirement in 1975, he was persuaded to accept a series of temporary assignments, culminating with the incident in Iran.

The college honored Ode after his release in 1981 with a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. He was so touched by this honor that, after his death in 1995, his wife Rita gave the college $250,000 to establish the Robert C. and Rita M. Ode Scholarship Fund.

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“Detroit: Our Greatest Generation”

1950s

Bob Gillette ’63, founder of the American House senior living residences in the Detroit area, recently sponsored Merle Barr and his son on a return to the battlefield for the fist time since 1944. Barr, a 2nd lieutenant and Army platoon leader who was part of the first wave of Merle Barr and Bob Gillette ’63 landings on Omaha Beach, was promoted to captain after the war. There are 150 veterans of World War II living in the American House’s 27 residences. Bob, a United States Air Force Reservist, has been a long-time supporter of Michigan veterans. Recently, Bob transported nearly 50 World War II veterans to the Townsend Hotel for a special event in their honor in the unveiling of a historic framed-photo of 720 veterans that will be going to the White House. “Detroit: Our Greatest Generation,” a documentary, will premiere Dec. 13 at the Fox Theatre, Detroit, and will air at 8 p.m.

Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 25 on WDIV-TV, channel 4. It is centered on veterans telling their inspiring stories of how the nation came together.

Visit www.detroitgreatestgeneration.com to view the interviews.

John Vanderlind ex’50 wrote a book, “The 1948 Conflict Over Academic Freedom at Olivet College: The Students’ Protest Movement and Antecedents,” which is now in its third printing. E-mail John at mapleclinic@coslink.net.

Alumni and Students to be Recognized for Military Service Members of Alpha Psi Sigma, Olivet’s criminal justice honor society, are currently working on establishing a wall of honor for alumni and students who have served in the military. The proposed wall will feature the name, rank and years of service of veterans and current servicemen and women.

Alpha Psi Sigma is seeking donations to support this project. If you are interested in making a donation, or if you would like to submit the name of an alum or student for the wall, contact Kelly Collins, Alpha Psi Sigma president, at kcollins@olivetcollege.edu, or Marty (Mason) Jennings ’67 at (269) 749-7644 or mjennings@olivetcollege.edu.

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Lawrence “Larry” Lewis ’53 won the John Vanderlind ex’50 bronze medal in singles tennis in the 80 to 84 age division in the 2009 National Summer Senior Games at Stanford University in August. It was Lawrence’s best finish in four trips to the Nationals. E-mail Lawrence at lelewis2013@comcast.net.

Walt Benton ’59 and wife, Sherryl, just celebrated their 15th anniversary and recently returned from a riverboat cruise in France from Paris to Normandy, including a tour of the D Day Beaches. E-mail Walt and Sherryl at s-benton@sbcglobal.net.

1960s Robert “Bob” Light ’62 received the Distinguished Service Award at the 2009 Annual Grand Lodge of Michigan Masons meeting June 3 in Grand Rapids. Bob is involved in the Michigan Masonic Model Student Assistance Training Program and is a past Master of Clam Lake Lodge 331. E-mail Bob at boblight@netonecom.net.

Mark Davison ’66 is a race car driver in his Formula Ford. He has won local, regional and national events. During the summer months, he and wife, Janet (Almstadt) ’67, fill their weekends with grand prix races. Mark is in marketing for Roush in Allen Park, producing service manuals and technical information for automotive companies. E-mail Mark and Janet at davisonm@ees.eesc.com.

Bob Light ’62

Don Pagett ’66 recently retired as executive director and CEO of the Foothills Area Authority, a four-county public program providing mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services to citizens in need in North Carolina. Don began his 40-year career in public service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal. He earned his master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina. Don and wife, Marilyn, live in Asheville, N. C. They have traveled extensively and plan to establish permanent residence in Nepal in 2010. E-mail Don at dandmpagett@bellsouth.net.

Tony Kruzman ’67 is principal for fourth and fifth graders at West Hills Upper Elementary School and associate principal for sixth, seventh and eighth graders at West Hills Middle School in the Bloomfield Hills School District. E-mail Tony at tkruzman@bloomfield.org.

Sylvia Scarbrough ex’67 retired from teaching after 34 years, mostly in special education in the areas of mental retardation, behavior disorders and severe emotional impairment. She lives in Georgia. E-mail Sylvia at csscarbr@yahoo.com.

Nancy (Jensen) Wells ex’67 and grandson, Greg, recently visited Olivet’s campus for the first time in more than 20 years. Nancy and freshman roommate, Marty (Mason) Jennings ’67, spent several hours reminiscing. Nancy and husband, Cliff, have a son, daughter and four grandchildren and live in Nassau, the Bahamas.

E-mail Nancy at nancyw@coralwave.com.

Duane Flynn ’71, entomologist in Gaston County, N.C., began his love of treehoppers, small insects that rarely exceed one half inch long, while he was a student at Olivet in 1970. Duane is known as Gaston’s “Bug Man.” He visits schools to educate students about treehoppers, which feed on hardwood trees and are found on most continents. His essay on treehoppers, “Clowns of the Insect World,” is available at insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/mes/notes/entnotes8.html.

Jean (Eckhart) O’Brien ’73 earned her Master of Divinity in 2009 from the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Ind. She ended her tenure at the Yorktown Christian Church in Yorktown, Ind. Sept. 25. She is currently serving as the associate pastor of the First Christian Church West in Saginaw where she lives with her husband, Irving.

E-mail Jean at jeanobrien@hotmail.com.

Marty (Mason) Jennings ’67 and Nancy (Jensen) Wells ex’67

Chris Edwards ’68 formed the band Shades of Grey in 1968 in Washington, D.C. Every summer they reunite for a concert in Coldwater. Chris lives in Virginia and continues his musical career. E-mail Chris at ChristopherEdwr@aol.com.

Oliver Tuthill ’68 just finished his newest feature film, “The Right to Bear Arms,” starring John Savage (“The Deer Hunter,” “Godfather III”). Oliver wrote, directed and played the part of a federal prosecuting attorney in the movie. He is now developing his next film, “Black Lights.” Oliver is also in post production on a documentary about the Sioux Indian warrior, Crazy Horse, and the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. His Web site is www.bluewoodfilms.com. E-mail Oliver at owtuthi@earthlink.net.

1970s Jason Mall ex’70 studied at Eastern Michigan University and was involved in real estate for 25 years in California, Florida and Michigan, which led to being a realtor instructor and builder. He is now in the mortgage business in Florida where he lives with his wife, Janet. E-mail Jason at jason91436mall@yahoo.com.

Pat (Tidmore) Yamin ’70 and husband Steve Yamin ’68 live in Brooklyn, N.Y. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year.

28 years ago Pat decided to start her own company, Come Quilt with Me (www.comequiltwithme.com), a successful mail order business. Their son, Jared, is involved in the business, too. E-mail Pat at comequiltwithme@aol.com.

Phi Alphas and Soronians from 1972-75 spent a long weekend together at Lake Michigan in August. In the photo from left to right: Sue and Doug ’73 Burger, Vicky (Houghton) ’74 and Mike ’73 Kimling, Linda (Weipert) ’74 and Stan ’72 Allison, Carol and Gary ’73 McKee, Barb and Jeff ’72 Carl, Thelma and Dave ’73 Horn, Kay (DeFields) ’74 and Scott ’73 Scofield, Jan (Baird) ’74 and Bill Armstrong ’75.

Robert A. Pasionek ’73 has joined the firm of Howard & Howard Attorneys, PLLC. He is practicing law out of the firm’s Las Vegas office.

Jan (Baird) Armstrong ’74 had her first novel published, “Owe It To The Wind,” a romance novel which takes place in southeast Michigan during the 1960s-70s. The sequel will be out in 2010. Jan’s Web site is www.jrarmstrong.net, and the book can also be found on www.Amazon.com. E-mail Jan at jrarmst@gmail.com.

Sheila (Fergison) Case ’75 has retired as vice president of human resources and training for Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan’s Heartland in Battle Creek. She and husband, Rick, will be spending time between homes in Michigan and Mesa, Ariz. E-mail Sheila at rickstella01@yahoo.com.

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Pat (Sonicksen) Donley ’76 is now the kindergarten-only music specials teacher for the Jackson Public Schools. She wishes to thank the staff at Olivet for her music and education preparation for this position. Pat has been married to (Robert) Mark Donley ’76 for 31 years. Their two daughters are married and pursuing careers in elementary education and physical therapy. E-mail Pat and Mark at donley1978@yahoo.com.

Gerald Schell ’76, M.D., is the chief of staff at St. Mary’s of Michigan Hospital, which includes his expertise in spinal surgery in a current advertising campaign. Partnering with E. Malcolm Field, M.D., they lead Saginaw Valley Neurosurgery in Saginaw Township and foresee a bold future for that medical community with a proposed $10 million ambulatory surgical and rehabilitation center downtown. Gerald attended medical school at Michigan State University, with rotations at then Saginaw Cooperative Hospital, and his neurosurgery residence and fellowship at State University of New York at Syracuse. Gerald and his wife, Cathleen, live in Bay City and have two sons and two daughters.

Cheryl (Mulvaney) Aponte ’77 was recently named director of development at the nationally acclaimed Court Theatre at the University of Chicago (www.courttheatre.org). E-mail Cheryl at cherylaponte@gmail.com.

Col. Daniel Choike ’81 is the new commander at Quantico Marine Corps Base. During his time in the Corps, Daniel has served as director of installation and logistics at Marine Corps Air Ground combat Training Center/Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command in Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., and as commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Detachment at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He most recently served as chief of staff for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command.

Bruce Barea ’82 has sponsored and raised more than $27,000 in three years at the Tom Joslyn Annual Memorial Golf Outing. Bruce’s close friend, Tom Joslyn ’84, passed away Feb. 10, 2007, leaving his wife and four children. The money raised is going toward Tom’s children’s education fund. Tom had been a key member of the Olivet College baseball and golf teams. E-mail Bruce at BBarea@aol.com.

Sue (Johnson) Levitte ’83 is the physical wellness instructor and athletic director at St. Francis Xavier School in Petoskey. On Sept. 19, the school’s ninth annual Tour de St. France was held along the Little Traverse Wheelway to raise money for the school’s athletic program.

This year, $16,000 was raised. E-mail Sue at suelevitte@yahoo.com.

Christine Arvidson ’77 and husband, Henry Doss.

Christine Arvidson ’77 has been working at the National Committee for the New River for three years. During the summer Chris “wrangled” a 340-mile trip up the entire length of the New River from Ashe County, N.C., to the confluence in West Virginia. E-mail Chris at arvidson@skybest.com.

Marc Bennison ’78 has been employed by Jackson Hewitt Tax Service for 14 years and has served as office manager for the past 11 years in Battle Creek. For 39 years Marc has stayed involved in sports statistics as a baseball and softball scorekeeper. He also dedicated more than 30 years of involvement in basketball as a timer, announcer, scorekeeper, statistician and referee. While at Olivet, he served as statistician for the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association for more than three years.

E-mail Marc at mbennison1956@yahoo.com.

1980s Kevin “Canuk” McNaughton ’80, and wife, Litsa, recently visited Olivet’s campus for the first time in 30 years. Kevin teaches special education in Toronto. E-mail Kevin at lifestyle@istar.ca.

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Greg Cook ’88 recently visited Olivet’s campus. Greg spoke at Michigan State University about his research in cancer. Greg and wife, Lisa (Waltz) ’88, live in North Dakota. E-mail Greg at gregcook@mac.com.

Kirk Mays ’88 was seriously injured and paralyzed in a fall from a deer stand earlier this year. He did not let that stop him from returning to his fulltime work as a teacher, football coach and athletic director at HannahPamplico High School in Pamplico, S.C. He has been in a wheelchair since his accident and now coaches football from the sidelines.

Barry Seabrook ’88 is the superintendent of the White Cloud Public Schools. Prior to being superintendent, Barry was the high school principal for White Cloud. E-mail Barry at seabrookb@whitecloud.net.

1990s Spencer Byrd ’91 is the new athletic director at Belvidere North High School in Belvidere, Ill. Prior to his new position, Spencer was a teacher, coach, athletic director and assistant principal at Round Lake High School in Illinois. He and wife, Jennifer, have twin 2-year-old boys, Brock and Trent.

Shane Alderson ’92 is the new varsity basketball coach at Davison High School. Shane has worked in the program for 16 years, including 14 years as the varsity assistant coach. Shane played basketball at Olivet College.

Paul Coats ’92 was one of five inducted into the Eaton Rapids High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 2. Paul was a three-year varsity football player and earned all league honors twice in high school. While at Olivet he wrestled and was a three-time NCAA D3 national qualifier and made the MIAA all-academic first-team all four years.

Chandra Kaye LaPointe ex’99 is teaching in Bellaire. She received her bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University. E-mail Chandra at quick2lapointe@hotmail.com.

2000s Stephen R. Hicks ’01 was a graduate assistant at Western Illinois University in Macomb where he researched President Theodore Roosevelt’s Country Life Commission and the commission’s influence on rural community development (www.iira.org/clc). Steve earned his master’s degree in history in December 2008 and is currently working for the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. E-mail Stephen at SRHicks2@wiu.edu.

Leon Howard ’01 was the committee chairman for the first Multicultural Beach Festival at Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon in August. The festival was designed to celebrate Muskegon’s diversity and lifelong learning.

Leon, who received his master’s degree in student affairs and higher education from Michigan State University, is a hall director at the University of Michigan. E-mail Howard at howardii@umich.edu.

Kristi (Barker) Koenig ’03 graduated as an anatomic pathologist’s assistant from Wayne State University in the summer of 2009. She is currently working as a pathologist’s assistant for Butterworth Hospital, a division of Spectrum Health, in Grand Rapids. E-mail Kristi at kbarker9903@yahoo.com.

Soronian sisters from the 1990s got together during the summer for a long weekend at Cable Lake, near Dowagiac. Pictured at the Round Barn Winery from left to right: Tiffany (Chilver) Dykema ’94, Maria (Paltelky) Flynn ’95, Shannon (Cunningham) Fairlamb ’94, Cheryl (Baetz) Pennings ’95, Cami (Hettig) Ashley ’94, and Audrey (Davison) McManus ’95. Also in attendance during the trip but not pictured are Jennifer (Roberts) Gorczany ’94 and Amy (Biolette) Delaney ’96.

Chris DeBoer ’04 and Derek Ott ’07 played golf in the Alpha E Golf Outing Aug. 15. E-mail Chris at christopher.deboer @mpiresearch.com and Derek at imagoner@hotmail.com.

Eric Wiederhold ’94 was recently appointed village administrator of the Village of Glenwood, Ill. Prior to this appointment he served as city administrator of Geneseo, Ill. E-mail Eric at ericwiederhold@yahoo.com.

Mauricio “Mo” Palli ’06 is an academic adviser Chris DeBoer ’04 and Derek Ott ’07 for Robert Morris University in Chicago. He is responsible for planning student schedules, maintaining and increasing retention and advising students about their majors and minors. E-mail Mo at mpalli@robertmorris.edu.

Amy Greenamyer ’97 is a horticultural therapist for an independent, assisted living and memory care/healthcare facility in the Chicago area.

E-mail Amy at amymgreen@hotmail.com.

“Kat” Roesch ’06 is an adjunct instructor at Olivet College, teaching writing and rhetoric. She earned a masters degree in public health from Tulane University in New Orleans. E-mail Kat at taykatherine@gmail.com.

Raymond Redner ex’98 was recently appointed chaplain of Hampton Senior High School in Perth, Western Australia.

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David R. Whitfield ’06 received his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law magna cum laude and has been admitted to the State Bar of Michigan. He is practicing law in Grand Rapids for Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, one of the leading law firms in Michigan and one of the top 200 in the nation.

E-mail David at dwhitfield@wnj.com.

Michael Ryan ’07 attended Bowling Green State University to work on his David R. Whitfield ’06 master’s degree in music. He went to work for several automobile dealerships in Ohio and eventually started his own consulting firm, which works with downsizing dealerships in the United States. E-mail Michael at michaelryan55@gmail.com.

Jake Casey ’08 is teaching seventh and eighth grade English at Bellevue Middle School. He is also the head junior varsity football coach and middle school head track coach. E-mail Jake at coachcasey@hotmail.com.

Joe Kiss ’08, an assistant pro at Bedford Valley Golf Club, produced his second career hole-in-one when he aced the 210-yard, par-3 number 11 hole on June 18 with a 5-iron. His first career hole-in-one came last May on the eighth hole at the club.

Michelle Erskine ’09, a member of Sigma Beta literary society, was recently hired by the State Bar of Michigan as a research assistant. She works under the director of research and development in the executive division of the organization. E-mail Michelle at merskine09@att.net.

John Shull ’09 served as station manager for WOCR at Olivet College for two years and studied journalism/mass communication. After graduation, John was hired at WDIV Television in Detroit, the eighth largest market in the nation, as an assignment editor. He is now involved in field production in the United States and internationally.

Rob Swanson ’09 was recently featured in the United Church of Christ New Orleans Disaster Recovery Ministries Newsletter for his work helping to rebuild New Orleans. He had gone on several Olivet College Katrina relief trips, and during the summer volunteered as a site supervisor for the United Church of Christ Office of Volunteer Ministries, the agency Olivet works with to organize the trips. Rob recently returned to Michigan to pursue his dream of attending veterinary medical school.

Kyle Vanderhyde ’09 is mathematics master and head wrestling coach at The Lawrenceville School, a high school preparatory school, in Lawrenceville, N.J. E-mail Kyle at kvanderhyde@lawrenceville.org.

In Memoriam Eloda (Heibeck) Tangney ’31, June 13, 2009, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Ruth (Plummer) Jones ’34, May 16, 2009, Fennville.

Mary (Fletcher) Bristol ’37, March 17, 2009, Hot Springs National Park, Ariz.

Laura (Berghorst) Verplank ’38, Sept. 18, 2009, Zeeland.

See related article on pg. 24.

Nila Jeanne Warren ’38, July 20, 2009, Clare.

Harriet C. Henderson ’39, May 10, 2009, Battle Creek.

Bruce Davis ’41, June 9, 2009, Ashland, Ore. Wife Shirley (Renahan) ’41 died Sept. 8, 2008.

Edgar Fenton ’43, March 2, 2009, Farmington Hills.

Donald Chase ’44, June 5, 2009, Kent, Wash.

Jack Stocker ’45, July 8, 2009, New Orleans.

Richard Reed ’59, Jan. 11, 2009, Grosse Pointe Farms.

Survived by wife, Carol (Lindeman) ex’61.

Byron Pierce ’60, May 2, 2009, Harlingen, Texas.

Survived by wife, Shirley (Schroeder) ’57.

Nelson Kjos ’62, Aug. 3, 2009, Saint Clair Shores.

Survived by brother, Norris “Jerry” Kjos ’59.

Rev. Willard “Bill” Soper ’65, June 10, 2009, Roswell, Ga. Survived by brother Bruce Soper ex’67.

Alan Sheets ex’68, Sept. 17, 2009, Little Rock, Ark. Brother, Ivan Sheets ’68, predeceased him.

Charlene (Rarick) Dean ’70, Aug. 18, 2009, Coldwater.

Rev. David C. Bushong ’78, March 30, 2009, Great Falls, Mont.

Peter Louis Lazaroff ’79, May 27, 2009, Belleville.

Gretchen (Harris) Garrett ’81, Dec. 13, 2008, Arlington, Texas.

JoEllyn (Van Dyke) Peck ’82, June 10, 2009, Charlotte.

Survived by brother, Randy Van Dyke ’74 and sister-in-law, Nan (Eldred) Van Dyke ’75.

Friends of the College Lou Collins, Sept. 2, 2009, Olivet. For many years Lou filmed sporting events for the college, and he previously owned Collins Clothing Store in Olivet. In 1996, there was a goal to establish a Division III men’s golf tournament in Michigan. Thus, the Olivet College Comet Classic was born. Because Lou was a long-time supporter of Olivet’s golf program, the tournament was renamed the Olivet College Lou Collins Classic in 2006.

Lou Collins It is now the Olivet College Lou Collins Memorial Classic. Gifts in his memory may be made to the Olivet College Athletic Department.

Edith (Kirk) Crawford, Oct. 26, 2009, Laguna Hills, Calif. She was a member of the Olivet College Board of Trustees and received a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from the college in 1979.

Catherine Knoll, Sept. 8, 2009, Olivet. As a Chartwells employee, she was the manager of the Comet Café since August 2004.

Joan Kuerth, Nov. 4, 2009, Seneca, S. C. Joan was the wife of Jim Kuerth ’74.

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Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAID

Lansing, MI Permit No. 975

Office of Alumni Relations 320 S. Main St., Olivet, MI 49076

Education for Individual and Social Responsibility www.olivetcollege.edu

SM

COUPLES WHO MET AT OLIVET

BY MARTY (MASON) JENNINGS ’67 Couples have been meeting and marrying ever since Father Shipherd founded Olivet College in 1844. Love has always been in bloom – whether it be “courting” in the 1930s, going for a walk in the cemetery in the 1950s, going on a “grasser” in the 1960s, attending a “kegger” in the 1970s or dancing in the College Center/Kirk Center or a society house – love has always been in the air. Many blind dates or just casual acquaintances have resulted in Olivet marriages – and others did not, but no matter what the outcome, fond memories of dating played an important role during your college years at Olivet. We currently have records of more than 600 couples who met at Olivet and are married.

Grafton “Mac” ’37 and Ruth (Yotter) ’38 Thomas “Mac” Thomas arrived on the Olivet College campus in 1933, following in the footsteps of his father, two brothers and a cousin. Eventually, his sister would follow him. When Mac met Ruth Yotter, it was love at first sight. “Ruth was not only beautiful, but the first girl I felt at home with,” he reminisces.

Once they began to date, neither one of them ever dated anyone else. On May 4, 1935, Mac asked Ruth, “Someday, will you darn my socks?” The answer was yes, and for four years they told no one that they would eventually marry. Mac pledged Phi Alpha Pi and Ruth pledged his sister society, Soronian. During their years on campus, their favorite studying place was in the basement of the library. When the library was closed, they would crawl in the basement window to study. Mac and Ruth married July 26, 1940.

Mac taught school and held several other jobs and then became a minister. He was especially interested in civil rights for all races and religions. Ruth taught music and played the piano for the

elderly and the organ for churches in Northport, where they have made their home since 1979. It was there that they raised four children. They now have 10 grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren. E-mail Mac and Ruth at macnruth@gmail.com Mike ’05 and Sarah (Griswold) ’04 Hall It was during freshman orientation in the summer of 2000 when Mike Hall and Sarah Griswold first met. They became friends but did not date for several years. In January 2001 they both pledged: Sarah at Sigma Beta, and Mike at Adelphic Alpha Pi. During spring break in 2002, they both attended the college’s service trip to the Heifer Ranch in Arkansas. It was then that Mike and Sarah quickly realized how much they had in common and how similar their feelings and views were on many subjects. They still were not officially dating, but years later Sarah was told that Mike had taken a video of the Heifer Ranch trip home, showed it to his grandmother and announced, “Granny, that is the girl I am going to marry!” In the fall of 2002, they started dating. Sarah said, “It truly is a blessing when you find someone in your life who makes every experience better to have shared it with them.” In July 2005, they were married by Rev. Mike Fales ’75. Sarah is working in the family business, managing health insurance benefits, and Mike is teaching and coaching football at Kentwood Public Schools. Son, Logan, was born July 7, 2007, and their second child is due in May. Sarah commented, “We both feel very lucky for the experiences we had while at Olivet, both on an educational and personal level.” E-mail Sarah and Mike at sarahjgriswold@aol.com.

If you enjoyed reading about couples who met at Olivet, consider submitting your information for publication in future issues of Shipherd’s Record.